ICC Intercontinental Cup and Shield

NAMIBIA v UNITED ARAB EMIRATES After being put into bat, Namibia showed their experience of first-class three-day cricket in South Africa’s provincial competition by a solid rather than spectacular approach. Raymond van Schoor dominated the opening partnership of 43 runs before losing patience and offering a simple catch off a rash hook shot. When Willem Groenewald became the second wicket to fall, on the score of 47, he had batted 102 minutes for 10 runs made at a strike rate of 15.8. Sarel Burger and Wian van Vuuren consolidated with a stand of 103 at a pedestrian strike rate of 42.9 and this was the pattern for the day as all of Namibia’s middle order contributed to the total of 255 for five. Although the Emirates bowled tightly, they were allowed to do so with no batsman prepared to take risks or show much initiative. Namibia continued cautiously on the second day with Nicolaas Scholtz and Louis van der Westhuizen extending their partnership to 102 for the sixth wicket. Even Louis Klazinga was subdued, his valuable 28 not out being made at a strike rate of 59.5; nevertheless it helped the tail increase the total to 369. The Emirates tried nine bowlers but none created much difficulty for the home side. Ominously, the most successful was Fayyaz Ahmed, who managed to extract some turn from the pitch with his off spin. Despite losing Arfan Haider, who was forced to retire hurt when the opening partnership had reached 60, the Emirates responded positively. The loss of their best three players, Arshad Ali, Khurram Khan and Saqib Ali, before the close, was clearly an advantage for Namibia, all three becoming victims of Burger. Arfan Haider returned, however, and he and Abdul Rehman looked to be well set at the end of play. The Emirates’ overnight batsmen took the score from 185 for three to 238 but, just as there seemed no cause for alarm, Nicolaas Scholtz removed Arfan Haider and Fayyaz Ahmed. To give the lie to there being nothing in the pitch for the pace bowlers, Klazinga returned and in an impressive and penetrative spell took a wicket in each of his next five overs as the Emirates disintegrated. The last seven wickets went for the addition of only 59 runs and Namibia had a first-innings lead of 72. Van Schoor ensured Namibia’s dominance with a patient innings, putting on 43 for the first wicket with Groenewald, whose 8 runs came at even lower strike rate (12.6) than he achieved in the first innings. Burger assisted with a stand of 65 before falling leg-before to Fayyaz Ahmed. With less than three overs to go to the close, van Schoor became Fayyaz’s second victim for a well-constructed 87, at a strike rate of 42.6 with five fours and one six. By the end of the third day, Namibia had extended the lead to 206 runs and still had seven wickets in hand. The last day witnessed a remarkable turn-around. Mohammad Tauqir created havoc with his off spin, picking up five wickets as Namibia added only an additional 103 runs. The last five wickets fell for a mere 13. Set a target of 310, the Emirates went about the task with confidence. Khurram Khan set the example with a well-made century, including twelve fours and one six. At the time of his dismissal, his 109 constituted 45% of his team’s runs. His effort, however, was the foundation for a run spree. Amjad Javed hit 35 off 15 balls, including four sixes, and Fayyaz Ahmed scored 52 at a run a ball. The target was reached with a few overs to spare, leaving the Emirates elated and the Namibians wondering how they contrived to lose a match they had dominated for two days. 228 ICC Intercontinental Shield 2009-10