DHAKA: UAE were clearly out of their depth at the World T20 last year in Bangladesh, but they have given a much better account of themselves so far in this World Cup.
They have posted big totals in both their games, and put Zimbabwe and Ireland under plenty of pressure in the chase, only to let it slip away in the end. But now they are up against a different level of opposition, the big guns from India.
The India v United Arab Emirates match is set to begin at 12:30pm Saturday at Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth in Australia.
India, the defending champions, have thumped the likes of Pakistan and South Africa, and now lie in wait for lesser opponents. Like UAE, they have racked up stiff scores batting first, but their bowlers and fielders have been sharper. They have taken it easy since beating South Africa at the MCG, and had nets only on the day before the match, after a couple of off days and a fielding-only session in between.
UAE have had to do the same as well, but theirs has been a forced hand. They played Ireland in Brisbane on Wednesday, flew across Australia to Perth on Thursday, leaving them only Friday to acclimatize ahead of Saturday's match.
India are overwhelming favourites, and a win will keep them on top of their group. UAE will have to plug the gaps, particularly in their bowling and fielding, to challenge MS Dhoni's men. If they can do that and test the Indians, they will have made a greater case for the cause of the Associates at the World Cup than their previous two encouraging performances.
The UAE batsmen have scored 285 and 278 in their two outings in the tournament. But the pace of Umesh Yadav on a WACA pitch as part of a versatile India attack will be a much harder proposition.
With 67 and 106, Shaiman Anwar has been responsible for UAE's impressive twin batting displays. The Indians would not like him to make it a hat-trick of standout innings.
Rohit Sharma has been the only batsman among the India top five who has not contributed in either match yet. He will want to get a decent score in the bag ahead of the West Indies game on the same ground.
Teams news
Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the UAE match with a "mild left-knee problem." MS Dhoni had earlier indicated that Stuart Binny could come in to the XI for the side's games in Perth, and the allrounder had a good workout with bat and ball during training. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has had a light workload in the nets so far this tournament, bowled with reasonable rhythm as well.
India Squad
MS Dhoni*†, R Ashwin, STR Binny, S Dhawan, RA Jadeja, V Kohli, B Kumar, Mohammed Shami, AR Patel, AM Rahane, SK Raina, AT Rayudu, MM Sharma, RG Sharma, UT Yadav
UAE came within two strikes of a win against Ireland in Brisbane, which should encourage them to stick with the same combination.
United Arab Emirates Squad
Mohammad Tauqir*, Amjad Ali, Amjad Javed, AR Berenger, Fahad Alhashmi, AM Guruge, Kamran Shazad, Khurram Khan, Krishna Chandran, Mohammad Naveed, Nasir Aziz, SP Patil†, Rohan Mustafa, Saqlain Haider, Shaiman Anwar
India have won four, lost six and tied one ODI in Perth. UAE have never played here.
The teams have met twice before, in 1994 and 2004, with India winning by 71 runs and 116 runs
"We know they are big stars, but we will take this game like the previous two games. We will not be intimidated by their names or their status." Said UAE captain Mohammad Tauqir on the India players.
Shikhar Dhawan says India are not taking UAE lightly saying "We play the game the way it has to be played, and we're going to play with the same fighting spirit and going to keep the same intensity tomorrow."
Source: espncricinfo
BDST: ১০১৩ HRS, FEB 28, 2015
