ABU DHABI // The fall of Uganda captain Akbar Baig's wicket that ended a solid third-wicket partnership may be the turning point for the UAE when play resumes in today's third day of the ICC Intercontinental Shield at the Zayed Stadium. Baig was caught by Fayyaz Ahmed at point off the medium pacer Amjad Javed in the penultimate over to provide a vital breakthrough for Khurram Khan's men.
Baig ground out a well-compiled 51 off 178 deliveries and shared a 132-run stand with Lawrence Sematimba, who was 72 not out at the close, with Ronald Semanda unbeaten on two at the other end and Uganda on 229 for three in reply to the UAE's 361 all out. "That wicket indeed was an important breakthrough," said Khurram. "The new ball is due after six overs and an early wicket can turn the game around. We had a good first session and they could have ended the day stronger if not for Akbar's wicket. This is all about four-day cricket."
The UAE's overnight pair, Naeemuddin Aslam and Zubair Qasim, frustrated Uganda with a valuable 65-run stand for the last wicket. They added 47 before Aslam fell to Davis Arinaitwe, trying to hoist the spinner over the long on. Aslam made 152 off 255 deliveries, hitting 20 boundaries, and he was well supported by Zubair, who occupied the crease for more than two hours and 20 minutes and faced 85 balls in a useful 18 not out.
The Uganda openers Roger Mukasa and Arthur Kyobe, put 45 on the board in the five overs before lunch, but both fell short of their half centuries in the second session of play. The spinner Arshad Ali had Mukasa trapped for 46 with the total at 77 and 20 runs later Fayyaz sent back Kyobe for 49. Mukasa was the more adventurous of the two, hitting eight boundaries in an entertaining 39-ball knock. Kyobe also hit eight fours, before Baig and Sematimba came together to consolidate the Uganda inning with a solid stand.
Baig was understandably livid in getting out in the second last over of the day. "I threw the wicket away at a crucial time," he said. "I just lost concentration and played a shot which I shouldn't have. But I hope the rest of the batters can apply themselves and stretch our score. "There is a lot of batting still left. It is a good strip to bat with nothing much for the bowlers. "The openers Roger and Arthur gave us a good start, and me and Lawrence batted well after the good start we got. We still have a lot of work left but our idea would be to bat as long as possible and stretch our score."
Baig hit seven fours and occupied the crease for more than three-and-a-half hours. Sematimba stroked an equal number of fours and was hoping to complete his maiden first class century today, having gone past his previous best 57. @Email:apassela@thenational.ae