World Cup, Pakistan vs UAE as it happened: Pakistan overpower UAE by 129 runs

Tauqir: 340 was difficult for us. But, there were some positives. We managed to bat out the 50 overs. Anwar is a very good batsman and his nickname in the team is Sir Viv. We wanted to put up a decent performance. We had a few good games against Zimbabwe and Ireland and wanted to do the same.

Shehzad:  Pretty much satisfied before the big game against South Africa. We didn’t want to be in a similar situation like we were against Zimbabwe. All the coaches and players have been very supportive to try and fix that. The way Misbah and Haris batted to help us get momentum, will be useful against South Africa. We need to stand up as a team and play as well as we did today.

Ahmed Shehzad is named the Man of the Match.

Shahid Afridi now involve in 216 ODI wins, the most by a Pakistani player in ODIs, beating Inzamam-ul-Haq (215). #PAKvUAE #CWC15

— Cricket Records (@cricinfo_record) March 4, 2015

Pakistan beat UAE by 129 runs.

UAE did well to surpass 200, at one stage it looked a distant affair. The Swapnil-Javed partnership went on and on and that could have hampered Pakistan’s run rate. All in all, it was a comprehensive performance from Pakistan. Misbah will be pretty relieved, they are back on track. The batsmen, led by Shehzad (93), Haris Sohail (70) and the skipper himself Misbah (65) propeled Pakistan to a huge total of 339. In reply UAE top order faltered and they were back in the hut inside 10 overs. Khurram Khan (43) and Shaiman Anwar (62) tried to rebuild but with the run rate consistently climbing up, they couldn’t do much and perished looking to up the ante. Swapnil and Javed then tortured Pakistan with some lusty hitting as they added 68 from 10.5 overs. Pakistan got a couple of late wickets but they may rue the fact that they weren’t able to bowl UAE out early.

After 46 overs, UAE 185/6 (Swapnil 29, Javed 23)

Javed hammers Sohail Khan for 21 runs in the over. He at first hammers it straight back for a four then clobbers it over long on for six, he then slaps it over covers for a four and then sends it sailing over cow corner for a 99 m maximum. Something to cheer about for the UAE fans.

After 45 overs, UAE 164/6 (Swapnil 28, Javed 3)

Wahab is in midst of a very good spell. He’s beaten Swapnil on his cut and dab, again and again and again. He’s getting good zip and bounce. Swapnil finally manages to get bat on ball as he cuts one uppishly through backward point for a boundary and he again looks to cut the next ball but misses. 19 runs in the last five overs.  176 needed off 30 balls.

True bowler's perspective by @wasimakramlive - "i won't be confident as a bowler with NasirJamshed at backward point" #PAKvUAE

— cricketnarc (@NitinUppot) March 4, 2015

After 40 overs UAE 145/6 ( Swapnil 15, Javed 0)

The loss of Anwar has hurt UAE badly and then they lost Mustafa for a duck. They managed judt 14/2 in the Batting Powerplay. Pakistan will relieved that Afridi is amongst the wickets. Rahat Ali and Wahab Riaz too have done a good job so far. Pakistan need to make sure they bundle out UAE early in order to boost their run rate.

OUT! Afridi has two in one over and he is delighted! Rohan Mustafa c Ahmed Shehzad b Shahid Afridi 0 (2b 0x4 0x6).  After 38.3 overs, UAE 140/6 (Swapnil 12) 

He beat Mustafa with a fast googly the earlier ball, this time Mustafa gets down and slog sweeps it straight to the square leg fielder. Afridi can’t believe it. 

Amjad Javed is the new batsman.

OUT! Finally, Finally, Afridi has a wicket! Shaiman Anwar c Nasir Jamshed b Shahid Afridi 62 (88b 4×4 2×6). After 38.1 overs, UAE 140/5 (Swapnil 12) 

It’s a googly from Afridi, tossed up on off, Anwar looks to go down town but doesn’t get the timing right.  He ends up mistiming it to long off and Jamshed holds on to a catch. Finally things falling into place for Pakistan – Afridi has a wicket and Jamshed holds on to a catch. 

Rohan Mustafa is the new batsman.

Shaiman Anwar has overtaken Sangakkara (268) to become the highest run-getter of the World Cup so far…….

In Napier Shaiman Anwar becomes only the 3rd Associate player to score 250+ runs at a World Cup #PAKvUAE

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 4, 2015

After 35 overs, UAE 131/4 (Anwar 59, Swapnl 6)

Khurram may have departed but Anar has continued with his free flowing approach. He at first pulls Haris through mid-wicket for a boundary to get to his fifty and then lofts one over extra cover for another boundary.  22 runs off the last five overs. Afridi is n danger of going wicketless again. He has figures of 7-0-31-0. Anwar would be looking to attack in the Batting Powerplay.

FIFTY for Anwar!

Anwar gets to his fifty off 75 balls. And that too in style as he pulls one through mid-wicket for a boundary. Three fours in his innigns so far. It’s his fourth fifty plus score in ODIs. He continues his great run in the tournament.

After 30 overs UAE 109/4 ( Anwar 42, Swapnil 1)

Maqsood, Afridi and Sohail Khan – an all spin attack employed now. Afridi is not getting any hint of drift. Both the batsmen looks to play big shorts but they went straight to the fielder. Anwar finally gets one off the middle and hammers it over long off for a six off Maqsood.  He then gets down and slog sweeps Haris over square leg for a boundary. Just when it looked as if the batsmen will up the ante, Khurram suffered a soft dismissal. He will be disappointed with himself as he’s been getting starts but isn’t carrying on! 20 runs and a wicket off the last five overs.

OUT! Maqsood strikes! Khurram Khan c Wahab Riaz b Sohaib Maqsood 43 (54b 3×4 1×6). After 29.2 overs, UAE 108/3 (Anwar 42)

A soft dismissal for Khurram. Maqsood is having a good time. 70 with the bat and now a wicket. He bowls it full on off, Khurram gets down for a slog sweep but helps it straight into the hands of Wahab at square leg. Khurram played well for his 43!

Swapnil Patil is the new batsman.

After 25 overs, UAE 89/3 ( Khurram 38, Anwar 29)

Anwar brings up the 50-run stand with Khurram and then Khurram pulls one over long leg off Wahab for a flat maximum. Afridi hasn’t got his lengths right and has been very short. He’s been milked for runs while Wahab has been tight with his lines. He bowls a maiden too. 19 runs off the last five overs!

After 20 overs, UAE 70/3 (Khurram 27, Anwar 21)

Khurram and Anwar rebuilding here. Khurram survives as he nearly chops one on off Wahab. Afridi is brought on to bowl early and Khurram punches one off the back foot off him for a boundary.  These two have rotated the strike pretty well and scored at close to six runs an over. 28/0 in the last five overs. Afridi not looking really threatening.

After 15 overs, UAE 42/3 (Khuram 10, Anwar 11)

UAE gaining some momentum. Khurram, at first, cracks at cut through point for a boundary off Rahat and then after three quiet overs, Anwar launches an attack on Sohail as he punches one through point for four and then slashes one over the same region for an outrageous six. 17/0 in the last five overs.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Irfan has gone off the field for the 2nd time. Looks like a hamstring problem. Not good news for Pakistan….

After 10 overs, UAE 25/3 (Khurram 4, Anwar 0)

Just when Amjad Ali was looking good, Rahat Ali took his wicket in his first over. He had hit a coupel of fours off Sohail, One off a straight drive and another off a pull to fine leg.  But then Rahat removed him and then Sohail Khan removed Berenger with a lovely outsinger. There was a huge LBW shout against Khurram but the umpire turned it down, Misbah lost out on the time required to review it. Sohail, who has bwled pretty well so far, then has the wicket of Krishna.

OUT! Another one bites the dust! Krishna Chandran c Umar Akmal b Sohail Khan 0 (11b 0x4 0x6). After 10 overs, UAE 25/3

It’s full outside off from Sohail, and swinging away sharply. Krishna goes for a booming drive but is done in by the late swing. He gets an outside edge and Umar Akmal pouches a diving catch. An Akmal taking a diving catch! 

Shaiman Anwar is the new batsman.

Pakistan even if win by 10 runs will go above Ireland in NRR. But if they win by about 150 runs they could go above West Indies as well.

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) March 4, 2015

OUT! Now both the openers are back in the hut! AR Berenger c Umar Akmal b Sohail Khan 2 (13b 0x4 0x6). aFTER 7.3 OVERS, UAE 19/2 (Krishna 2) 

Full delivery from Sohail, outside off, it tails away late and draws Berenger into a drive . He gets an outside edge to the keeper who MAKES NO MISTAKE. This is a good start from the Pakistan openers but UAE have been too cautious. 

Khurram Khan is the new batsman.

OUT! Rahat draws first blood! Amjad Ali b Rahat Ali 14 (30b 2×4 0x6).  After 6.4 overs, UAE 19/1 (Berenger 2)

Length delivery outside off, swinging away late, Amjad is caught in two minds whether to play or let go. In the end he looks to shoulder arms very late, the ball takes the inside edge of the bat and crashes onto the stumps. 

Krishna Karate is the new batsman.

After 5 overs, UAE 6/0 ( Amjad 4, Berenger 1)

The first over from Irfan loked unplayable as it zipped through at a very good pace. Amjad Ali did well to make sure he played out most of the over and take a single. Sohail Khan didn’t look threatening but the UAE openers have been pretty cautious. Irfan is getting decent swing and bounce. Irfan beat Berenger’s outside edge on the drive on a couple of occasions. They have been extra cautious.

Right then! The UAE openers Amjad Ali and Andri Berenger have made their way out to the middle. Mohammad Irfan will start off proceedings for Pakistan.

This is the 16th 300 plus score in this World Cup……

STAT – Afridi becomes jus thte 4th Pakistan batsman to score 8000 runs!

Pakistan have posted 339/6!

A very good batting effort from Pakistan and this is their second highest total in World Cups. Pakistan scored 71/2 in the last five overs. Misbah and Umar at first went berserk and then Shahid Afridi blasted 21 off 7 with two sixes and one four. Wahab joined the party with one six. Pakistan hit 20 runs in the last over. In the last 10 overs, Pakistan scored 124 runs. This was a much-needed confidence booster for them!

OUT! Misbah’s fine knock ends. Guruge gets 2 in 2. Misbah-ul-Haq c Rohan Mustafa b Guruge 65 (68m 49b 4×4 2×6). After 48.3 overs, Pakistan 312/6

Full from Guruge, Misbah looks to blast it over long on but doesn’t connect well and holes out to long on. A fine innigns comes to an end. 

Wahab Riaz is the enw batsman.

OUT! Akmal departs! Umar Akmal c Amjad Ali b Guruge 19 (13b 1×4 1×6) . After 48.3 overs, Pakistan 312/5

Guruge drifts it onto Akmal’s pads, the latter flicks it powerfully but straight to deep square leg where Amjad takes a very good catch. 

Shahid Afridi is the new batsman.

FIFTY for Misbah!

Misbah gets to his 50 off just 39 balls. After all the criticism of Slow approach against Zimbabwe, Misbah silences his critics going at a strike rate of 128. 3 fours and 2 sixes in his innings so far.

After 45 overs, Pakistan 268/4 (Misbah 41, Umar Akmal 7)

Pakistan attacking now. Misbah and Maqsood upped the ante before Maqsood departed. Misbah at first launches one over long on for a six off Krishna and then Maqsood hammers it straight back which smashes the commentary box. Misbah then whips one over long leg off Guruge for a flat six and then Maqsood follows up with a straight six.  Guruge strikes next ball to remove Maqsood. Misbah then sweeps one of Mustafa for a boundary. Umar Akmal joins the party as he whips one through square leg for a four. 53/1 in the last 5 overs.

OUT! Maqsood departs! Sohaib Maqsood c Rohan Mustafa b Guruge 45 (31b 4×4 2×6). After 43 overs, Pakistan 251/4 (Misbah 33)

It’s a tad full outside off from Guruge, Maqsood slashes it to point where Mustafa takes it on his chest, juggles and pouches it on the fourth attempt. A fine innings comes to an end. 

Umar Akmal is the new batsman.

After 40 overs, Pakistan 215/3 (Maqsood 28, Misbah 14)

UAE bowling a bad ball every over and even two. Javed the main culprit. Maqsood has capitalised on them. He at first cuts it through point for a boundary. And then again takes on Javed in his next over cracking him for three fours in the over. Javed drifts down the leg side on all the three occasions and gets punished. Misbah has started off well and going at almost run a ball, Pakistan fans might be pretty happy with him right now. He is alos trying to attack but didn’t get a couple of shots off the middle.

Among top Test playing nations in #CWC15 only batsmen from Pakistan and New Zealand are yet to register to an individual century#PakvsUAE

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 4, 2015

Breaking News: Misbah-ul-Haq comes to the crease with Pakistan in a very good position #PAKvUAE

— cricketnarc (@NitinUppot) March 4, 2015

After 35 overs, Pakistan 177/3 (Maqsood 3, Misbah 1)

UAE have hit back really well in the Batting Powerplay. The first two overs went for 19 runs but they pegged back Pakistan with the wickets of the set Sohail and Shehzad. Just 10 runs and two wickets in the next three overs. 29/2 during the Batting Powerplay.

OUT! Shehzad misses out on his century! Ahmed Shehzad run out 93 (105b 8×4 1×6) . After 34.1 overs, Pakistan 175/3 (Maqsood 3)

Shehzad throws it away. He wasn’t running easy 2s and 3s and now tries to go for a risky second and gets himself out in 90s. He cuts it to deep point and scampers through for a single and then takes on the fielder for the risky second. Anwar in the deep responds with a flat throw and the keeper whips the bails off in a flash as Shehzad dives. Replays show that his bat was in the air when he dived. A scratchy but important innings comes to an end. 

Misbah-Ul-Haq strides out to the middle.

OUT! Naveed breaks the 160-run stand! Haris Sohail c Shaiman Anwar b Mohammad Naveed 70 (83b 5×4 1×6). After 32.5 overs, Pakistan 170/2 (Shehzad 90)

Length delivery outside off from Naveed, Sohail stays in his crease and looks to go downtown but the bat turns in his hands. He ends up mistiming it to mid on where the fielder makes no mistake. A fine innings comes to an end. The 160-run stand is broken, a wicket at a crucial juncture for UAE. 

Sohaib Maqsood is the new batsman.

Pakistan have taken an early Batting Powerplay. Looks like a sensible option.

This Shezad innings innings has been uglier than Imran Farhats worst innings.

— Farooq (@frooq) March 4, 2015

After 30 overs, Pakistan 148/1 (Shehzad 77, Sohail 61)

Pakistan employing a similar approach. Taking singles and putting away bad balls. Shehzad at first slog sweeps Khurram over mid-wicket for a boundary. Sohail then hammers Khurram over long on for a six int he same over. Shehzad then charges down the track and flicks it over mid-wicket, the fielder at long on makes a mes of it and it rolls over to the fence. Shehzad then shuffles way across and swats it away wide of short fine leg for a boundary. Khurram Khan has been expensive going for 7 an over from his three overs. UAE’s fielding has been really poor and they have paid the price for it so far. 36/0 in the last five overs.

After 25 overs, Pakistan 113/1 (Shehzad 53, Sohail 51)

Both the batsmen have reached their fifties and looking confident now. The UAE spinners haven’t got their lengths right. Kuhrram is bowling for the first time in the tournament and he drops one short, Shehzad pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. He earlier cut one off Tauquir through point for a boundary. 24/0 in the last five overs. Two boundaries in that.

FIFTY for Haris Sohail

Sohail brings up his 50 off 66 balls. The 100-run stand also comes up. It’s the 1st 100-run stand for Pakistan in this World Cup. He’s played sensibly so far.

FIFTY for Shehzad 

Shehzad brings up his 50 off 68 balls. He was dropped twice early on. He’s hit four 4s and one six in this innings and will be mightily relieved to get back in form. It’s his maiden World Cup fifty too.

After 20 overs, Pakistan 89/1 (Shehzad 41, Sohail 39)

This is sensible cricket from Pakistan, they have started rotating strike and dealing in ones and twos. In between, Shehzad charge down the track and lofts one over long off off Javed for a six.  This is what Pakistan needs, good sensible cricket! 22 runs off the last five overs. The overrate has been pathetic, just 20 overs bowled in one and half hours!

After 15 overs, Pakistan 68/1 (Shehzad 28, Sohail 31)

Pakistan slowly getting into the groove. Sohail gets a couple of fours off Javed. He  at first drives it through mid off for four and then clips it to fine leg for another one in the same over. The 50 stand comes up in the 13th overs. Shehzad is still cautious but it’s good as long as Pakistan don’t lose wickets. Off-spinner Tauqir and pacer Javed are in operation. 25 runs off the last five overs.

What is Pakistan's strongest suit?

1. Bowling
2. Hair
3. Selfies
4. Parody Accounts
.
.
.
.
572. Fielding
.
.
.
.
.
1094. Batting

— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) March 4, 2015

Shahid Afridi is playing his 499th international match, equaling Inzamam-ul-Haq's record among Pakistan's players. #PAKvUAE #CWC15

— Cricket Records (@cricinfo_record) March 4, 2015

After 10 overs, Pakistan 41/1 (Shehzad 20, Sohail 14)

Pakistan have been really scratchy and they hav ebeen helped by some meiocre fielding from UAE. A couple of dropped catches, both of Shehzad. Sohail then looks to drive off Naveed but gets an outside edge which flies wide of the slip cordon for a streaky boundary. Shehzad then trickles one to fine leg for a four and then dances down the track and thumps one over mid off for another four. Shehzad is getting restless but he should know that boundaries are not only the need of the hour, they need to rotate the strike too.

Dropped! Shehzad gets another lifeline. 

Good length delivery outside off, a touch wide, Shehzad cuts it powerfully to point where Berenger puts down a simple one. Shehzad gets another life.

Shehzad is Dropped! A terrific effort from Khurram though!

Length delivery outside off, Shehzad loses his patience and daces down the track and looks to go downtown, he doesn’t get the needed elevation, Khurram at mid off, leaps in the air with a one-handed effort but doesn’t manage to hold on.

Even Raina was laughing at Jamshed playing the short ball

— This is Kerpal (@sachinism_ICF) March 4, 2015

#PakvsUAE 22 players in this match
15 born in Pakistan
2 born in India
2 born in Sri Lanka
2 born in UAE
1 unknown@mohanstatsman

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 4, 2015

After 5 overs, Pakistan 11/1 (Shehzad 6, Sohail 0)

It’s been a brilliant start from UAE. Naveed is getting good away movement. Guruge has been disciplined with his lines. Earlier, Naveed beat Jamshed’s inside edge with a lovely inswinger but then Shehzad opened his boundary account as he smashes a pull off Guruge over mid-wicket. But Guruge hit back to remove Jamshed. Shehzad is ultra cautious from then on. They need to rotate the strike.

OUT! Really poor from Jamshed! Nasir Jamshed c Khurram Khan b Guruge 4 (12b 0x4 0x6). After 3.1 overs, Pakistan 10/1 (Shehzad 5)

It’s the third time he’s got out to the short delivery in this world cup. It’s short outside off from Guruge, Jamshed looks to pull it off the front foot but it hits the bottom of the bat and loops to mid on where Khurram makes no mistake. Jamshed straightaway looks at the bottom of the bat. Poor cricket from him and he fails for the third time. 

Haris Sohail is the new batsman.

Pakistan's opening stand in their last 7 ODIs: 1, 0, 11, 111, 0, 0, 3. #CricinfoInsights

— S Rajesh (@rajeshstats) March 4, 2015

All iz well! All iz well! Phew! Misbah right. No worth playing any shots for first 40 over.#PakvsUae

— Nasir Jamshed (@NasirJamshed_) March 4, 2015

Right then! The Pakistan openers Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad ahve made their way out to the middle. Mohammed Naved will start off proceedigns for UAE.

Combined age of the captains today- 82 years!

— Venkat Raghav (@raghavitis) March 4, 2015

Afridi to Rameez: I am approaching 400 wickets so I told Mr. Umar Akmal please help me with this (laughs). #HAHAHAHAHA #PAKvUAE

— Jigar Mehta (@jigsactin) March 4, 2015

UAE XI: Amjad, Berenger, Krishna , Khurram ,  Anwar, Patil, Mustafa, Javed, Naveed, Tauqir, Guruge

Pakistan XI: Shehzad, Jamshed, Haris, Misbah, Maqsood, U Akmal, Afridi, Wahab, Rahat, Sohail Khan and Irfan.

TOSS – UAE have won the toss and ELECTED to bowl. Pakistan have gone unchanged.

Whispers of Afridi opening - surely some joke...? #cwc15 #pakvuae

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) March 4, 2015

World Cup 2015: Misbah hopes Pakistan handle flights and fights – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

The toughest job in the world is of being Misbah-ul-Haq – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

Hello and welcome to the coverage of the 25th match of the World Cup between Pakistan and UAE at McLean Park, Napier. Match starts at 6.30 am IST. Follow this space for live scores and updates.