Raza spins UAE to handy first-innings lead

Mohammad Naveed
Mohammad Naveed

United Arab Emirates' Ahmed Raza and Namibia's Gerhard Erasmus and Craig Williams were the star performers on an eventful second day's play in the ICC Intercontinental Cup clash in Windhoek on Sunday (September 17). The match looks poised for a thrilling finish after a topsy-turvy day that saw 16 wickets fall.

Resuming its first innings at eight for no loss in response to UAE's 269, Namibia was bowled out for 212, courtesy Raza's 6 for 61. Where UAE could have built on its 57-run advantage, it lost its way in the quest for quick runs, going to stumps at 116 for 6 for an overall lead of 173 with four wickets in hand.

The day began quite solidly for the host. Lohan Louwrens and Stephan Baard, the openers, both got into their 30s. Raza, the left-arm spinner, set things in motion for UAE by removing Louwrens for 34. He then dismissed Karl Birkenstock for a duck before felling Baard for a 106-ball 38 to leave Namibia at 92 for 3.

Imran Haider, the leg-spinner, and Mohammad Naveed, the right-arm seamer, then scythed further through the order, leaving Namibia with little chance to overhaul UAE's first-innings total. Erasmus battled hard with a valiant 78 not out, but didn’t receive adequate support as Raza continued to chip away.

In a bid to quickly stretch the advantage and take the game away from the host, UAE came out with positive intent. Rohan Mustafa and Chirag Suri added 57 runs in 11.2 overs when Mustafa, the captain, was removed by Jan Frylinck for 29.

Craig Williams, the right-arm seamer, then took control of proceedings and ran through the top-order to leave UAE tottering at 81 for 5. His scalps included that of Suri, for a 56-ball 41. Williams finished with 4 for 17, and will hope to add to the tally on Monday.

Adnan Mufti, who scored a sparkling 110 in the first dig, was then run out for 10. Saqlain Haider and Raza showed some resistance with an unbroken 23-run stand. Raza had 14 against his name at stumps, while Haider was on eight.

With only one win each from five games, both sides are at the bottom of the table with 27 points apiece. The outcome of this game will determine which of them avoids the wooden spoon.