Daijiworld Media Network
Cape Town, Apr 9: Young Mangalorean Nithin Gopal Mulky, who is representing UAE national cricket team, has proved his selectors, who chose him to represent the nation at the international level right, with a splendid performance, hitting a skillfully crafted 81 (99balls, 6x4), to steer UAE to victory against Afghanistan in their ICC World Cup qualifying level first-round game.
Man of the Match Nithin Gopal steadied the UAE team after it lost a couple of quick wickets, while chasing Afganistan's total of 251.
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UAE's chase began on a disappointing note, however, when Amjad Javed, who hit 164 a few days ago, was clean-bowled off the first ball by Shapoor Zadran, a towering left-armer who would be hard to face in juicier conditions. Afghanistan's confidence was short-lived, however, as Arshad Ali and Nithin Gopal came together in a match-seizing second-wicket stand of 117. Nithin Gopal impressed through the off-side, though both himself and Ashad were gifted with too many full-tosses that were confidently flicked through the midwicket. On several occasions, deft nudges beat the fine-leg, which was placed too fine, too short, or was too slow to react.
In the game played at Isak Steyl Stadium, Vanderbijlpark (neutral venue), on Wednesday April 8 2009 (50-over match), UAE 257 for 5 (Gopal 81, Saqib 69, Aslam 47*) beat Afghanistan 251 for 8 (Stanikzai 69, Nowroz 46, Zahid 4-59) by five wickets.
Result: United Arab Emirates won by five wickets (with 16 balls remaining).
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