The UAE proved that life goes on without their inspirational former captain Khurram Khan after beating Kenya by five wickets in the first of their World Cricket League Championship double-header in England on Thursday.
Amjad Ali top-scored with 49 with Mohammed Shahzad hitting the winning runs with a boundary for a score of 27 as Aaqib Javed’s men rattled off 173 for five in 41.4 overs. Kenya posted 171 in 40.5 overs after being sent into bat by Mohammed Tauqir and his bowlers rewarded their captain’s faith, with Mohammed Naveed and Manjula Guruge taking seven wickets between them.
All-rounder Khurram announced his retirement earlier this month after the UAE’s Intercontinental Cup defeat to Ireland by an innings and 26 runs, but the national team bounced back with a convincing win in the 50-over match at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The second match takes place on Saturday at the same venue.
Ashes warm-up
Elsewhere, Chris Rogers turned attention back to his cricket, rather than his business interests, with an unbeaten fifty on the first morning of Australia’s Ashes tour opener against Kent in Canterbury.
Australia, having been sent into bat by Kent, were 108 without loss at lunch at the St Lawrence Ground on the first day of this scheduled four-day clash.
Rogers was 53 not out and Shaun Marsh, a rival for an opening spot alongside David Warner when the first Test against England begins on July 8, was unbeaten on 45.
Left-handed opener Rogers found himself having to apologise on Wednesday after he unwittingly contravened ground regulations by trying to re-sell tickets for next month’s second Test at Lord’s as part of a hospitality package.
Australia, led by Test captain Michael Clarke, rested Warner from this match, with the bowling attack featuring experienced pacemen Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle, plus leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed.
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