Cricket part-timers the United Arab Emirates made a bold return to the World Cup after almost 20 years today, fully stretching Zimbabwe before losing by four wickets in a tight-finishing Pool B match.
Shaiman Anwar made 67 and 43-year-old veteran Khurram Khan 45 as the UAE scored 285-7 after being sent in to bat. After slipping to 167-5, Zimbabwe relied on Sean Williams' unbeaten 76 to win with 12 balls to spare.
Off-spinner Mohammad Tauqir, who became the World Cup's oldest captain at 43 and who works fulltime as an airline purser, took 2-51 as the UAE staunchly defended its total before Williams hit three consecutive fours for the winning runs.
Scoreboard
