UAE reaches ICC World T20 for first time

Manama: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reached the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup for the first time following an outstanding performance against the Netherlands on Wednesday in a match in Abu Dhabi, which the hosts won by ten runs.

The UAE last featured in a tournament pitting cricket`s top nations in 1996, when they qualified for the World Cup. According to Gulf News, an impressive performance by UAE spin duo Shadeep Silva and Nasir Aziz at the Zayed Cricket Stadium after the hosts posted 117 for the loss of eight wickets, helped restrain the visitors to 107 for nine at the end of their 20 overs. The report mentioned that Silva finished with exceptional figures of 4-1-9-1, while Aziz, who was cleared by the ICC of a suspect action, claimed 3 wickets for 21. The World T20 would be held in Bangladesh in 2014, the report added.