Simand Aayan impresses for the hosts in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2 tournament
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Nicholas Kirton, match winner. – Instagram
Despite a strong performance by skipper Mohammed Wasim and spinner Aayan Afzal Khan, UAE lost by three wickets to Canada in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
After being dismissed for 194 runs in 47.5 overs, the hosts were unable to rein in the Canadians who reached the target in 14 balls.
The chase was made possible by Sri Lankan-born Srimantha Wijeratne (59, six 4s) and Barbadian Nicholas Kirton's unbeaten 68 (seven 4s).
Zahoor Khan was the pick of the UAE bowlers with three for 37 while Junaid Siddiq (2-43) and Aayan (2-34) also bowled well.
UAE skipper Wasim, the star of the recent DP ILT20 tournament where he was named the best Emirati player of the tournament, played a masterful innings before falling short of a half-century.
Other notable contributions came from Aayan Al Mutatisq (38 off 50 balls) and a cameo from Mohamed Zohaib (31 off 26 balls).
Left-arm pacer Kaleem Sana, who was born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, did most of the damage as he took four wickets for 42 runs.
Guyanese-born right-arm medium pace bowler Dillon Heliger scored 2 for 52 in his spell.
The United Arab Emirates: 194 all in 17.5 Muhammad Waseem (49), notables Afzal Khan (38); Muhammad Zuhaib 31; Clem Sana 4-42, Dillon Heliger 2-52)
Canada: 198/7 in 47.4 overs (Samantha Wijeratne 59, Nicholas Kirton 68 not out; Junaid Siddique 2-43, Aayan Afzal Khan 2-34, Zahoor Khan 3-37)
Canada won by three wickets
Canada won the toss and put the United Arab Emirates into bat