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Zimbabwe see off UAE Cricket World Cup

Sport
Zimbabwe have survived an almighty scare from the United Arab Emirates to win their first match of this Cricket World Cup, a four-wicket win in Nelson.

Zimbabwe have survived an almighty scare from the United Arab Emirates to win their first match of this Cricket World Cup, a four-wicket win in Nelson.

The UAE, playing their first World Cup match since 1996, at one stage had Zimbabwe struggling at 5-167 in the 33rd over in pursuit of 286 for victory.

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But Sean Williams (76 not out from 65 balls) and Craig Ervine (42 from 32 balls) steered the African nation to victory by four wickets with two overs remaining and set up a crucial clash against West Indies in Canberra on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe opener Regis Chakabva had earlier made an unwanted piece of history when he slipped and fell back onto his stumps to be given out hit wicket.

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The United Arab Emirates had earlier set Zimbabwe a solid chase after being sent in to bat in their Cricket World Cup pool match in Nelson.

The UAE ended on 7-285 at Saxton Oval on Thursday, their highest score in one-day internationals and in line with the total that skipper Mohammad Tauqir had sought.

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On a ground in which more than 600 runs were scored when Ireland pulled off an upset win over the West Indies on Monday, Tauqir had put his sights on a minimum of 280 to 300.

Most of UAE’s batsmen got starts and their innings was set up by two 82-run partnerships.

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The first was between Krishna Chandran and ex-skipper Khurram Khan, who came together with the score at 2-40.

The pair were making steady progress when a change of bowler provided the breakthrough.

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On 34, Chandran went for the big hit from a Solomon Mire delivery but got the ball only as far as mid-off.

The 43-year-old Khurram, his side’s top batsman, was next to go when he fell for 45 edging a Tendai Chatara delivery to gully where Sean Williams took a great diving catch.

Swapnil Patil (32) and Shaiman Anwar (67) then settled the ship.

Anwar’s score was his best in ODIs and came off just 50 deliveries.

He hit nine fours as well a six that he lofted back over bowler Tinashe Panyangara to bring up his half-century.

His departure left the UAE, playing their first World Cup match since 1996, at 7-232 and the game seemingly balanced towards Zimbabwe.

But Amjad Javed (25) and Mohammad Naveed (23) produced some late big hitting to put on an unbeaten half-century partnership.

Zimbabwe used eight bowlers with Chatara finishing with the best figures of 3-42 from his 10 overs.