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UAE in driver’s seat

Saqib Ali and Amjad Javed hit unbeaten half-centuries to put the United Arab Emirates in a commanding position after the second day of their their ICC Intercontinental Cup four-day clash against Kenya at Gymkhana Club Ground on Friday.

The pair put on a stand of 124 with Ali not out on 70 and Javed reaching 66, as the visitors closed on 155-3. UAE’s lead stands at 149 runs after the bowlers had earlier bundled out the hosts for 219.

Rajesh Bhudia top scored for Kenya with 44, with Amjad Javed taking 3-43. Mohammad Tauqir, Shoaib Sarwar and Ahmed Raza all took two wickets apiece.

UAE roared back, ending the second day 149 ahead with seven wickets remaining.

The first day belonged to the Kenyan bowlers but UAE took the honours the next day as they ended up restricting Kenya to just a six-run lead.

Kenya started badly as Tammy Mishra fell early for 1. Dominic Wesonga, the not out overnight batsman, followed soon after without adding to his 34 and by the time Ramesh Mepani was lbw to Amjad Javed for 8, Kenya were toterring at 106 for 6, still 107 runs behind.

Then Samarth Patel and Hiren Varaiya combined for the first of two recovery partnerships. The pair added 46 in 17 overs to arrest the decline. Patel made a careful 30 from 81 balls before falling to Arshad Ali.

Wicketkeeper Mansukh Jesani fell after a scrapping for 31 balls but that brought an unlikely batting hero, No. 10 Rajesh Bhudia to the fore. He hit five boundaries and a six and ran hard to make 44 from 41 balls, completely dominating a 50-run stand with Varaiya. Bhudia was out to Ahmed Raza who removed next man in Lucas Oluoch for a golden duck.

It was not a good beginning for UAE as they were reduced to 31 for 3. Oluoch striking with the second ball of the innings to send Arshad Ali on his way and Wesonga, five overs later, removing the other opener Abdul Rehman. Oluoch collected his second wicket when Amjad Ali was trapped in front for 16.

. Saqib struck eight fours and a six to end the day unbeaten on 70 while Amjad raced along at nearly a run a ball, reaching 66 from 76 balls by stumps. The pair added 124 to give their team a great chance of setting a challenging target.

Other teams taking part in the expanded event include defending champions Afghanistan, Ireland, Canada, Scotland and Namibia.