UAE were desperately unlucky to be on the losing side of two consecutive close finishes in today's cricket. First USA Blue just managed to overhaul UAE's total of 140 in the final over of their chase while against India, they had the run chase in the bag with 30 runs required off the final 24 balls with their captain striking the ball well, but after a flurry of wickets in succession, they ended up 10 runs short. UAE can certainly hold their heads high after providing a stiff challenge to two strong sides with gutsy performances.
Kenya B had a busy day of chasing leather around the Simba Union Sports Club conceding 218 and 280 in consecutive matches against India and USA Blue respectively. They will certainly be playing for pride in what will probably be their final match of the Games, against UAE.
Attacking bowling by the UK spinners, backed up by superb fielding, paved the way for victory over Portugal at the Ruaraka cricket ground. Whereas the Portuguese spinners bowled quick and flat, which was economical but lacked potency, the UK spinners weren't afraid to give the ball some loop which, while sometimes expensive, allowed them to bowl genuine wicket-taking deliveries. Portugal will rue the indiscipline of their new ball bowlers, their 32 extras second top scoring for UK, especially since they fell 34 runs short of their target of 135.
Canada and USA Red completed convincing victories over Uganda and Afghanistan respectively, Canada racking up 180 batting first before bowling out Uganda for 82 and USA Red scoring 173 and bowling out Afghanistan for 105 to establish the North American teams as strong competitors in a sport many expected to be dominated by the teams from the Indian sub-continent.
Early favourites Pakistan were made to work hard for their victory against Kenya A on the Ruaraka pitch which so far has been difficult to score on. Chasing a par total, it came down to Pakistan requiring 2 runs off the final ball but whereas yesterday Kenya managed to hold their nerve against Canada, here Pakistan took the game in style, hitting a massive six off the final delivery.
