UAE won by 3 runs (DLS Method - Match reduced to 40 overs due to rain - target 230)
PLAYER OF THE MATCH : Mohammad Naveed
Batter
Bowler
The equation is simple now, the winner of the match between Afghanistan and Ireland makes it to the final. In case of a washout tomorrow, Ireland make it through (as they have a better net run rate than Zimbabwe). But you can't keep Afghanistan out of contention too. They are the only team to have beaten table toppers Windies and have all the ability to topple Ireland and go through. In case of a tie, Zimbabwe will make it but that's unlikely to happen. A lot of permutations and combinations! Hope you liked our coverage of this nail biting encounter. That's all from our side for the day. For now, this is Nikhil signing off on behalf of Abhinand and Shashikant. Peace out!
Cremer: I suppose we lost wickets in crucial periods. We had some good partnerships chasing the score. When Sean got out, that was a crucial moment. Take nothing away from UAE. The way they bowled and fielded was excellent. Credit to the team, we held our nerves in a couple of games. Unfortunately, we tumbled at the last hurdle. We'll pick ourselves up and move on. Very disappointed at this stage.
Rohan Mustafa: To be honest, it's a great achievement for us to win against a Test playing team. No one knows about us, now people will know about us. Feel sorry for them (Zimbabwe), but it's part of the game. Coming into the tournament, he (Rameez Shahzad) scored two hundreds. He scored a hundred against West Indies as well. We missed him in two games. He is the best batsman in UAE. Few of them were injured and that cost us. We didn't qualify, but we'll come hard next time.
Mohammad Naveed, Man of the Match: Very happy. My coach asked me to bowl wicket to wicket and that's what I did successfully. Didn't think too much. Fast yorkers were helpful (in the death). Last match I scored 45 runs, I was really confident. Just saw the ball and hit. I dedicate this win to my brothers.
At one point when Sean Williams was going along nicely, it seemed as if Zimbabwe would get over the line quite comfortably. But his wicket was the turning point of the match. Williams had brought the equation down to 24 off 3 overs but Ervine succumbed under the pressure. He did manage to get a couple of boundaries, but none of them looked convincing enough. Eventually, the hosts fell short of the target by 3 runs. Death overs usually define the outcome of a game and it was UAE who held their nerves in both innings. Mohammad Naveed hit those late lusty blows and bagged three important scalps at the same time - he was the game changer by some distance. That dropped catch of Naveed by Raza was another match defining moment. It'll take some time for Raza to get over it. Might come back to haunt him for a few days...
END OF OVER 40
11 Runs
ZIM: 226 - 7
2 1 4 1 1 2
Kyle Jarvis
6 (7)
Craig Ervine
22 (17)
Naveed
8-0-40-3
Naveed to Craig Ervine, 2 runs, heartbreak for Zimbabwe! Their fans are in tears. It's a full toss outside off, Ervine goes hard at it again, a wild swing and that only manages to evade backward point. Couldn't have received a better delivery to hit a six. So, UAE have spoilt the party for the hosts. They make sure that Zimbabwe are out of the run for a berth in World Cup 2019
6 off 1, can Ervine do a Dinesh Karthik?
Naveed to Jarvis, 1 run, on a length outside off, Jarvis can only manage to slap it down to long-off
Naveed to Craig Ervine, 1 run, a low full toss and Ervine misses out on it, throws his bat it, gets only a single at cover
Naveed to Craig Ervine, FOUR, they'll take that! A full toss outside off, Ervine goes for it, very hard at it and the outside edge beats short third man. 8 off 3...
A couple of boundaries, need of the hour for Zimbabwe! Has to be Ervine.
Naveed to Jarvis, 1 run, fullish delivery on middle and leg, Jarvis flicks that away to deep mid-wicket
13 off 5 now...
Naveed to Jarvis, 2 runs, full length delivery on middle and leg, Jarvis whips it to wide long-on and takes two runs
END OF OVER 39
4 Runs
ZIM: 215 - 7
1 0 1 0 1 1
Kyle Jarvis
2 (4)
Craig Ervine
15 (14)
Amir Hayat
8-0-47-0
Amir Hayat to Jarvis, 1 run, only a single there.... Full and wide outside off, Jarvis slaps it down to long-off and can only manage to gather a single. Pommy on air, is baffled... He thinks Ervine should have been on the strike for the last over. Isn't, anyways.
Need one boundary at least...
Amir Hayat to Craig Ervine, 1 run, that's a full toss on the pads, Ervine flicks that away to deep mid-wicket for a run
Amir Hayat to Craig Ervine, no run, short and slow outside off, Ervine goes for a pull, but is too early, beaten all ends up
17 off 9 now....
Amir Hayat to Jarvis, 1 run, full and wide outside off, Jarvis throws his bat it, gets a bottom edge towards point, a single stolen