DUBAI // In only his third official match for his adopted nation, Shaiman Anwar proved that all the excitement over his elevation to the UAE team was well-founded.
Having spent four years brutalising domestic bowling attacks, Anwar qualified in time to make his debut for the national team back in the Intercontinental Shield final in December. He misfired then, but showed just how valuable an addition he is to the ranks as he made a match-defining first century against Papua New Guinea yesterday.
His innings of 123 underpinned a 114-run win for the Emirates in the World Cricket League Division Two, their second victory in successive days. The UAE are now well-placed to reach Friday's final.
"There was pressure at first as two top batsmen had just got out, but I had a plan in my mind and had to play for the team," said Anwar, the 32-year-old batsman from Pakistan. I needed to stay there, get settled and get the team to a safe position, then attack. I might appear to be calm at the crease, but inside I was feeling the pressure."
Anwar made his name on the local scene as a big-hitter - he once hit 16 sixes in an innings - but his first ton was far more measured.
The UAE had to temper a mid-innings wobble, during which their two most senior batsmen, Khurram Khan and Saqib Ali both fell for ducks as they slid to 78 for four.
However, Anwar marshalled the host side through the muddle, and allowed himself to open his shoulders after reaching three-figures, as he hit five sixes in total. On the neighbouring fields at Dubai Sports City, Bermuda defeated Hong Kong by 69 runs and Namibia thrashed Uganda by 205 runs.