Kuala Lumpur: A sensational bowling spell by left-arm spinner Haider Ali propelled the United Arab Emirates into the final of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Hong Kong at the Bayuemas Oval.
Opting to bowl after winning the toss, the UAE bowling attack dismantled the Hong Kong batting lineup, restricting them to a paltry 70 runs in 31 overs. The standout performance came from 32-year-old Haider Ali, who delivered a devastating spell of slow left-arm orthodox bowling. Claiming career-best List A figures, Ali picked up six wickets while conceding just 14 runs in his 10 overs, which included three impressive maiden overs.
Hong Kong struggled to counter the disciplined attack, with only three batsmen managing to reach double figures. The collapse left the side completely rattled as the UAE fielders backed up their bowlers with sharp catches and tight ground fielding. Wicketkeeper Adeeb Usmani also chipped in with two vital scalps to further compound Hong Kong’s troubles.
Chasing a modest target of 71 runs, the UAE batting lineup made quick work of the chase. Despite losing a few early wickets, the team chased down the target in just 11.1 overs, securing a comprehensive seven-wicket win with 233 balls to spare.
With this resounding victory, the UAE secured their spot in the tournament final and moved one step closer to securing a coveted berth in the upcoming continental championship.