The UAE youngsters have been told to pull their socks up if they are to qualify for the second round of the Under 16 Asia Cup in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The youth team play China today and Bader Ahmed, their coach, said they must improve after wasting a host of chances in their 0-0 draw against Kuwait in their first group game.
"If we can't score from the chances we create, then we are not going anywhere," said Ahmed. "We had plenty of opportunities to score against Kuwait but we didn't. The only consolation is that we didn't lose. So one point is better than nothing.
"I hope the boys will come back stronger against China. They know how important this result would be for our qualification to the next round. If we can win, our chances will certainly look bright when we meet Iraq in the final game in the group stage."
China are at the bottom of the four-team group from which the top two qualify for the quarter-finals. Iraq, who top the group, take on Kuwait in today's other game.
* Agencies
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Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.
Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.
The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5