By Jay Dansinghani

Chasing 35 for victory in a five-over-a-side game against Malaysia, the UAE snuck home off the penultimate delivery to close out the third day of the ACC Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup.

The morning game between Bangladesh-A and Sri Lanka-A was abandoned due to a persistent, hours-long downpour and the resulting wet outfield. That the afternoon game went ahead is a testament to the hard work and professionalism of the ground staff and the efforts of several volunteers. Cricket Hong Kong, China would like to express its gratitude to everyone who worked tirelessly to get the ground fit for what was arguably the game of the tournament thus far.

After being put into bat, Malaysia lost Ainna Hamizah and Wan Julia in the very first over. Both openers were dismissed in similar fashion, dragging their feet out of the crease only to be stumped by Judit Peter.

Mas Elysa took advantage of a full toss by Mahesh, which she swept away for the first boundary of the innings. Before she could do any more damage, she was bowled through the gate by a dream delivery from Kavisha Egodage, which reduced Malaysia to 16 for three in the third over.

After a quiet period, Yusrina Yakoop struck Esha Oza for four between deep mid wicket and long on in the last over to propel Malaysia to 34 for six at the end of their innings.

Chasing seven runs an over for victory, UAE lost Theertha Satish off the second ball of the innings when she hit Mahirah Izzati straight to Aisya Eleesa at mid on. Izzati released some of the pressure when she bowled a full toss to Egodage, which the number three batter swept away for four.

Mahirah would amends in her next over, taking an easy return catch off a mistimed pull from Esha Oza before Egodage mistimed a lofted drive into the hands of Eleesa at long off.

Tight bowling from Malaysia meant that the UAE needed 13 off the last seven deliveries. Unfortunately for the Mas Elysa-led unit, UAE captain Chaya Mughal got an outside edge for four down to deep third.

Entrusted with the last over, seamer Ainna Hamizah started with a wide delivery and a dot ball before Rinitha Rajith smashed her down to long on and past Yusrina Yakoop, who over-ran the ball to concede a boundary.

With two required off as many deliveries, Rajith played a similar shot down to the same fielder, who fired in a throw that looked likely to affect a run out.

Yet, a fumble from Hamizah allowed non-striker Mughal to get through for a second and seal victory for an elated UAE dugout.

Vaishnave Mahesh earned the Player-of-the-match award for figures of 3-10 in her two overs.

Brief Scores:

UAE 35 for 5 in 4.5 Overs (Mughal 8*, Rajith 7*, Mahirah 3-11) beat Malaysia 34 for 6 in 5 Overs (Yakoop 9, Mas Elysa 8, Mahesh 3-10) by 5 wickets with one ball to spare

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