Rameez Shahzad leads UAE to win over Scotland
UAE beat Scotland by four wickets in the final match of the Desert Tri-Series that also featured Ireland.
The victory put UAE level on points with the Scots as both teams registered one win apiece from their four games, although Scotland finished second on net run rate behind unbeaten Ireland.
Batting first at the ICC Academy in Dubai, Scotland experimented with their batting order as Michael Leask was sent in to open with Kyle Coetzer, and registered a brisk 15. Captain Coetzer batted on for an impressive 79-ball 75 and was ably supported by the middle order. No.4 Richie Berrington (pictured above) hit 90 from 95 balls and No.6 George Munsey looked in fine form for his 29-ball 47 but both men fell in quick succession with almost 10 overs of the innings still remaining. In the end the Scots spluttered up to 299.
In reply, though the hosts did lose a couple of early wickets, to find themselves 50/2 from 11 overs, a huge third-wicket partnership between opener Ashfaq Ahmed (92) and No.4 Rameez Shahzad (121*) put UAE bang in control.
There was a brief scare for the batting side late on as they lost three quick wickets but Adnan Mufti chipped in a very useful 38 from 29 balls and the centurion Shahzad kept a cool head to see his side home with five balls to spare.
With the series at an end, both teams look ahead to the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.