The UAE enjoyed an encouraging opening day in their ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Papua New Guinea in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
After winning the toss, Papua New Guinea elected to bat but were reduced to 33 for three after Qadeer Ahmed removed both openers, Vani Moreea and Tony Ura, for 11 before Mohammad Naveed had Lega Siaka trapped lbw for nine.
PNG captain Assad Vala and Dogodo Bau put on 32 runs for the fourth wicket, but their partnership came to an end when Ahmed Raza — the pick of the UAE bowlers with figures of 3-38 — took the first of his wickets when Vala (17) offered a slight edge and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Saqlain Haider. The umpire was not initially convinced by the UAE’s appeals but after consulting with the leg umpire, finally gave the decision.
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Bau’s innings of 15 ended the following over with another caught behind, off the bowling of Imran Haider, but this time there was no doubt from the umpire’s side.
Bau’s brother, Sese, was the next batsman out, becoming Qadeer’s third wicket of the innings as PNG struggled at 89 for six.
Mahuru Dai (19) faced 61 balls before Mohammad Naveed and wicketkeeper Haider combined to put PNG in a perilous position at 110 for seven.
However, Jack Vare and Chad Soper scored 38 runs apiece to offer some resilience from the visiting side before Raza removed Vare, and Haider claimed the wicket of Norman Vanua (6) to leave PNG on 164 for nine.
Soper then put on 30 runs for the final wicket with Nosaina Pokana (9) before his 115-ball resistance was ended by Raza.
In reply, the UAE reached stumps at 14 for no loss with captain Rohan Mustafa (3) and Laxman Sreekumar (11) at the crease.
Day 2 of the four-day match begins on Saturday at 10am.
* The National staff
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