Dubai, January 14, 2023 (PPI-OT):The United Arab Emirates (UAE) made a strong start to the ICC Under19 Women’s T20 World Cup, as they defeated Scotland by six wickets in their Group D clash at Willow Moore Park B Field in Benoni on Saturday. The Emirates had sounded out a warning to the rest of the competition by winning their two warm-up games, and they built on that preparation by cruising to victory with 22 balls to spare.
UAE won the toss and elected to bowl first, and they managed to restrict Scotland to 99 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. Emma Walsingham (37 from 33 balls) was the mainstay in the tartan innings, striking five boundaries and one maximum. Skipper Katherine Fraser chipped in with 17 from 22 balls, but the wickets fell regularly at the other end throughout the innings. Indhuja Nandakhumar (two for 20) struck twice in the first three overs of play, and UAE took control with aggressive fielding and accurate bowling.
Vaishnave Mahesh (two for 19) and Samaira Dharnidharka (two for 22) also got amongst the wickets, as UAE kept Scotland to just below three figures. In pursuit of their target, Mahika Gaur was the cool head, clubbing 33 not out from 25 balls. She hit three boundaries and cleared the fence once, as UAE hurried to victory on a decent wicket.
Earlier, skipper Theertha Satish (27 from 24 balls) and Dharnidharka (23 from 27 balls) had kept the scoring rate up, to give UAE as solid platform to close out the chase. Maisie Maceira (two for 7) scooped two wickets in one over to raise some hopes of a challenge from Scotland, but Gaur then seized control of the innings with her clean ball striking.
The end eventually came in the 17th over, as the UAE made an ominous start to the maiden Under 19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Scores in brief:
Toss: UAE, who elected to field.
Scotland 99 for 9 in 20 overs (Emma Walsingham 37, Katherine Fraser 17, Vaishnave Mahesh two for 19, Indhuja Nandakhumar two for 20)
UAE 100 for four in 16.2 overs (Mahika Gaur 33 not out, Theertha Satish 27, Maisie Maceira two for 7)
UAE won by six wickets, with 22 balls to spare.
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