Khan's all-round show sinks Afghanistan

Dubai: Khurram Khan proved the selectors right in retaining him as the skipper of the UAE team for the oncoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup series against Afghanistan through a spectacular allround display in a 50-over match against Afghanistan at the ICC Global Cricket Academy Oval ground in Dubai Sports City.
Khan produced a deadly four-wicket spell with his left-arm spin and hit an elegant unbeaten 44 runs to ensure the UAE an exciting two-wicket victory. Electing to bat first, Afghanistan were restricted to 174 runs through Khan's spell of 4 for 21 from his seven overs. Ahmad Raza, another left-arm spinner, provided good support to Khan taking three wickets for 37 runs.
The UAE dominated the day with their spinners from the start. Though pacer Amjad Javed removed opener Jawed Ahmadi for a duck, the rest of the wickets were taken by the spinners. Shadeep Silva, another fine accurate left-arm spinner, picked two wickets. Afghanistan would have been bowled out for a lower score but for their one-drop batsman Mohammad Shehzad, who hit 53 runs off 77 balls.
West Indies matchIn another 50-over match at Oval ground 1, West Indies Academy team stunned the West Indies senior team. The hero of West Indies Academy team win was Kevin McLean, a 23-year-old medium pacer from Barbados. He picked five wickets for 19 runs from his seven overs to bowl out West Indies for 73. The Academy team won in 21.3 overs losing just four wickets.
Scores
UAE bt Afghanistan by two wkts. Afghanistan 174 in 49.5 overs (Mohammad Shehzad 53, Noor Ul Haq 25, R. Sahak 25, M. Ashraf 21, Khurram Khan 4 for 21, Ahmed Raza 3 for 37, Shadeep Silva 2 for 33) UAE 175 for 8 in 49.1 overs (Faizan Asif 49, Shaimon Anwar 29, Khurram Khan 44n.o). Man of match: Khurram Khan
West Indies Academy bt West Indies senior team by six wickets. West Indies senior team 73 in 30.2 overs (Kevin McLean 5 for 19) West Indies Academy 74 for 4 in 21.3 overs). Man of the match: Kevin McLean.