Life under new captaincy might have started with a shock defeat for UAE, but their chances of qualifying for the Asia Cup are still in their own hands.
The national team fell to a one-wicket loss to Kuwait on the opening night of the qualifying event in Muscat.
The side, now captained by CP Rizwan, bounced back with a vital win over Singapore next time out.
The hefty margin of victory – 47 runs – gave them a valuable net run-rate (NRR) kick that should aid them ahead of the final night of qualifying fixtures on Wednesday.
One team advances from the four-team qualifier in Oman, to face India and Pakistan in Dubai and Sharjah respectively next week.
With two games to play, Hong Kong, UAE and Kuwait can each take that place.
Fixtures
Oman Cricket Academy, Muscat
4pm, Kuwait v Singapore
8pm, UAE v Hong Kong
Permutations
1. Hong Kong
Four points
NRR: 0.716
Hong Kong, who have experience of qualifying for the Asia Cup at UAE’s expense, have won each of their matches so far.
If they complete a cleansweep by beating UAE on Wednesday, they are guaranteed to advance to the main competition.
Lose, and UAE will progress past them on account of a better run-rate – assuming nothing too wild happens in the first match of the evening.
2. UAE
Two points
NRR: 1.045
If UAE beat Hong Kong, they will be tied on four points. CP Rizwan’s side would leapfrog Hong Kong, though, on account of a superior run-rate.
They also have the advantage of playing the last game of the qualifier, and thus know exactly what is required of them.
3. Kuwait
Two points
NRR: -0.421
Kuwait stunned UAE with a final-over, last-wicket win in their opening match.
It means they have a chance of advancing to play against cricket’s biggest stars, although it has been rendered a long shot by their subsequent eight-wicket loss to Hong Kong.
If they are to advance their run-rate past UAE’s, they will need to win by a minimum of 78 runs, or make a successful chase in approximately 11 overs.
Even then, they would need to exceed each of those victory margins if they were to stand a chance in a tie-breaker.
The reward
The winner of the Qualifier will get to face India on Wednesday August 31 at the Dubai International Stadium, and Pakistan in Sharjah on Friday September 2.
