The first match of the three-match one-day series between the UAE and West Indies took place at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, highlighting both teams’ preparations for the upcoming ICC World Cup qualifiers. The West Indies emerged victorious, showcasing their strength as they chased the target set by the home team.
Brandon King was the standout performer for the West Indies, scoring a commanding 112 runs off 112 balls, instrumental in guiding his team to a comfortable win. The visitors successfully chased down a target of 203 runs in just 35.2 overs, demonstrating their batting prowess.
Earlier in the match, the UAE struggled to build substantial partnerships, ultimately getting bowled out for 202 runs in 47.1 overs. Despite solid contributions from Ali Naseer, who scored 58 runs off 52 balls, and Vriitya Aravind, who added 40 runs from 77 balls, the home side failed to capitalize on their starts with little support from the remaining batsmen.
Keemo Paul led the West Indies’ bowling attack, securing impressive figures of 3 wickets for 34 runs. His performance was pivotal in limiting the UAE to a below-par total. The win marked a strong opening for the West Indies in the series, affirming their position as a competitive side ahead of the qualifiers scheduled from June 18 to July 9 in Zimbabwe.
Daren Sammy, newly appointed as the head coach of the West Indies white-ball teams, expressed satisfaction with the team’s execution on the field. Captain Shai Hope echoed this sentiment, commending both his bowlers and King’s performance at the crease. He regarded King as an exceptional talent and was pleased to see him achieve his maiden century.
The UAE bowlers made their mark as well, with Rohan Mustafa, Zahoor Khan, and Aayan Afzal Khan each taking a wicket. However, the contributions from the UAE bowlers were overshadowed by the West Indies’ effective batting display.
Looking ahead, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem, who unfortunately was dismissed without scoring by Paul, expressed optimism for the next match, scheduled for June 6. He acknowledged the need for improvement, noting that a score in the range of 250 runs might be more competitive against a Test-playing nation like the West Indies.
Waseem highlighted the positives from the match, emphasizing that while they fell short by 50-60 runs, there were lessons to be learned. He expressed confidence that the team could regroup and perform better in the subsequent games of the series.