DHAKA: Experienced India has beaten United Arab Emirates by nine wickets after the World Cup new comer stumbled to their lowest total 102-run in Pool B match Saturday.
Chasing 103-run target, India snatched victory losing one wicket only in 18.5 over with the help of 57 from Rohit Sharma and 33 from Virat Kohli.
By winning the toss and choosing to bat first, UAE put to rest all the speculation there might have been around what kind of monstrous total India might post, but they collected undesired milestones nonetheless.
Playing for the first time on what is reputed to be the fastest pitch in the world, UAE struggled against the extra bounce available to the quicks and spinners alike.
R Ashwin registered his best figures in an ODI, and UAE stumbled to their lowest total in ODIs and the lowest against India in a World Cup match.
Man of the match Ashwin said, “I bowl at such phases of the game, it's more of cutting the runs out, it can get a little difficult, but [the lack of a four-wicket haul] was playing on my mind today after the first five overs.
When it comes to this format, I'm pretty much unselfish, it doesn't matter if I get the numbers or not as long as I put in the effort required. My wrist is getting into a good position, and that helps with the arm ball, the breeze helped as well. It was good to play the big teams initially, now we're on a roll.”
BDST: 1712 HRS, FEB 28, 2015