Amjad Ali stars in convincing UAE victories

UAE were stretched by a robust batting performance from Bermuda chasing 179, but prevailed by 21 runs in the first of two Twenty20 games in Hamilton. Amjad Ali was aggressive at the top after UAE elected to bat, and smashed three fours and as many sixes in his 53 to launch his side to a big total. Saqib Shah kept things rolling from the other end as the opening stand raised 67 in under eight overs. Offspinner Rodney Trott and seamer Kevin Tucker brought Bermuda back into the game during the end overs, but UAE had enough momentum to reach 178, with Saqib Ali and Arshad Ali making crucial contributions.

Bermuda began their chase positively, with Chris Foggo striking a six before being stumped off Shadeep Silva. David Hemp and Steven Outerbridge gave their side a strong chance at victory, adding 57 in 53 balls before Arshad Ali brought UAE back in the game. He finished with 2 for 22, as Bermuda lost too many wickets and fell out of the reckoning. Outerbridge remained unbeaten on 43, and despite Jordan DeSilva's 18 off 12 balls, UAE prevailed easily in the end.

While UAE had to earn their win in the first game, the second match was a walk in the park once again masterminded by Amjad. He went one better than his fifty earlier in the day and finished with a fluent 105 off 61 balls with eleven fours and five sixes. The bulk of UAE's runs came during Amjad's second-wicket stand with Swapnil Patil - 117 runs in 12 overs. Bermuda recovered towards the end of the innings, with Outerbridge taking three wickets including that of Amjad's to deny UAE a score in excess of 200, but sufficient damage had already been done.

Bermuda were never in the hunt after losing Hemp in the first over. Fiqre Crockwell and Outerbridge kept attacking during their second-wicket stand of 53, but the innings unraveled once the left-arm spinning duo of Shadeep Silva and Ahmed Raza came on. Their seven overs yielded only 29 runs while accounting for five wickets as Bermuda suffered a resounding defeat.