Aziz, Anwar star as UAE beat Canada again

A four-wicket haul by offspinner Nasir Aziz and a fighting half-century from Shaiman Anwar helped UAE secure their second WCL Championship win over Canada in King City, Ontario. The victory strengthened UAE's position at fourth place on the points table, giving them a three-point lead over Afghanistan.

UAE's bowlers, led by Aziz, vindicated their captain Khurram Khan's decision to bowl first, as Canada's in-form opener Ruvindu Gunasekera was dismissed by Shadeep Silva for 9. Usman Limbada, who scored a half-century in the last match, was pushed up to No 3 and he stitched together a steady 50-run stand with Hiral Patel, who fell soon after scoring his third List A fifty. The experienced Ashish Bagai joined Limbada at the crease but the pair struggled, adding 33 in 80 balls. Canada's scoring-rate dropped further after Limbada was bowled by Aziz in his first over, the 30th of the innings. The next six overs produced just 10 runs and Damodar Daesrath succumbed to the pressure in the batting Powerplay, holing out to midwicket to give Aziz his second wicket. Canada managed 11 in the Powerplay and Aziz and Silva struck regularly in the last 10 overs to restrict the hosts to 179 for 9. Aziz, playing his eighth List A match, finished with his best figures of 4 for 20.

In reply, UAE raced to 21 in 2.4 overs, but suffered a couple of early jolts as opener Abdul Shakoor and Khurram departed. Swapnil Patil tried to get a partnership going with Arshad Ali but fell to Junaid Siddiqui. A 58-run stand in nearly 19 overs between Arshad and Anwar anchored the chase. However, Rizwan Cheema struck, dismissing Arshad, Rohan Mustafa and Mohammad Azam in consecutive overs to leave UAE stuttering at 137 for 6 in the 37th over. Anwar played a tenacious 93-ball 57, following his unbeaten hundred two days ago, and almost guided UAE home before Cheema removed him in the 45th over. With 14 required and two wickets left, Canada were back in the game. However, Aziz and Silva steered UAE to victory in the 49th over.