Nisha stars in UAE's win in Women's World T20 Qualifier

The UAE players celebrate a wicket during the game against The Netherlands on Saturday. - Courtesy ICC

Nisha Ali played a brilliant hand as the UAE began their campaign in the Women's World T20 Qualifier with victory over hosts The Netherlands on Saturday.
Nisha Ali stroked a 59-ball 69 to lay the groundwork for the UAE's six-wicket win at the Kampong Cricket Club in Utrecht. The UAE won with two balls to spare.
Opting to take first strike, The Netherlands made 137 for the loss of three wickets on the back of opener Sterre Kalis' unbeaten knock of 88 from 68 balls. Her innings was studded with 11 boundaries. 
Denise Hannema scored 23 from 29 balls and captain Heather Siegers made 11 from 10 balls with two boundaries.
Debutant left-arm spinner Heena Hotchandani took two for 18.
The UAE's chase was shepherded by Nisha Ali after opener Chaya Mughal had made 36 from 41 deliveries with four boundaries. Nisha Ali's 69 was peppered with nine boundaries. Chamani Seneviratna then took UAE home with an unbeaten 14 from six balls with two boundaries, the winning hit being a swept boundary off off-spinner Caroline de Fouw.
At one point, the UAE were going strong at 107 for one in 16 overs. Caroline de Fouw took three for 31.
This is UAE's first appearance at this level after having finished runners-up behind Thailand in the Asian region of the ICC Women's World Twenty20 Qualifying Series 2017.
The UAE are in Group A along with Bangladesh, The Netherlands and Papua New Guinea, while Group B comprises of Ireland, Scotland, Thailand and Uganda. Both finalists from the tournament, which runs until July 14, will join Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and hosts West Indies in the ICC Women's World T20 from November 9 to 24.
Brief scores:
The Netherlands: 137 for 3 in in 20 overs (Sterre Kalis 88 not out, Denise Hannema 23, Heather Siegers 11, Heena Hotchandani 2-18) lost to UAE: 138 for 4 in 19.4 overs (Nisha Ali 69, Chaya Mughal 36, Chamani Seneviratna 14, Caroline de Fouw 3-31) by 6 wickets.
Player of the Match: Nisha Ali (UAE).
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