India bowl out UAE for 102; post third consecutive win

Perth, February 28

India bowlers delivered a dominating performance to skittle out the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a paltry 102 runs off 31.3 overs in a World Cup Pool B match at the WACA on Saturday.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers, notching his first four-wicket haul in One-Day Internationals (ODI) for 25 runs from his 10 overs — which also included a maiden.

Pacer Umesh Yadav (2/15) and spinner Ravindra Jadeja (2/23) clinched two wickets each as the minnows were bowled out for the lowest total of this World Cup so far.

The UAE just about managed to avoid becoming the first team to get bowled out for under 100 against India in a World Cup. However, it is still the lowest total by any team against India in the quadrennial event.

The extra pace and bounce of the Perth pitch was too much for the UAE batsmen to encounter after opting to bat. India's spinners enjoyed the bounce as well, picking up six of the 10 available wickets.

Only three players managed to reach double digits, with Sialkot-born Shaiman Anwar, who scored a brilliant century against Ireland in their last match, topping with 35 before being bowled by Yadav. Pacers Mohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up a wicket each too.

The best partnership came for the last wicket as Anwar and Manjula Guruge (10 not out) added 31 runs to irritate the Indian bowlers for 7.3 overs. — IANS