Asia Cup 2016: Mohammad Amir impresses in Pakistan win over UAE
Mohammad Amir starred with the ball, taking 2-6 in his four overs
Tuesday 1 March 2016 15:35, UK
Pakistan earned a hard-fought seven-wicket win over the UAE in their 2016 Asia Cup clash in Dhaka.
Pakistan got off to a woeful start with the bat chasing 130 to win, slipping to 17-3, before Shoaib Malik (63no) and Umar Akmal (50no) put on 114 together to see them to their first win of the tournament.
Mohammad Amir starred with the ball - taking 2-6 in his four overs - as the UAE themselves started poorly - reduced to 12-3 before recovering somewhat to post 129-6.
The UAE are still winless after three games in the competition, while Pakistan bounced back from a heavy opening defeat to India where they were bowled out for 83.
The UAE lost their three top-order batsmen all for single-figure scores after winning the toss and choosing to bat first, with Amir bowling Muhammad Kaleem with a beautiful inswinger that nipped in between his bat and pad, hitting the top of off stump.
Shaiman Anwar (46 off 42 balls) rebuilt the innings, finding useful support from Muhammad Usman (21 off 17) and captain Amjad Javed (27no off 18), as the UAE rallied.
They carried that momentum into the field as Javed (3-36) picked up Sharjeel Khan - with a fortunate lbw decision - and Khurram Manzoor inside three balls, and added the scalp of Mohammed Hafeez (11) in his next over.
Any panic in the Pakistan dressing room following their failure with the bat against India on Saturday was soon dispelled, though, as Malik and Akmal serenely notched fifties, firing them to the win with eight balls to spare.
The Asia Cup continues on Tuesday with the match between India and reigning champions Sri Lanka. Pakistan are next in action against Bangladesh on Wednesday, with the UAE India facing India on Thursday.
