Tim Hart reports, “CSE Dubai completed their tour of Scotland with an ODI fixture against the Western Warriors Under 16s, at Titwood. The Warriors won the toss, elected to field first and Fletcher Rao (Prestwick CC) and Faizan Rauf (Clydesdale CC) made key early breakthroughs – both with the help of stand-in wicket-keeper Ross Heginbottom (Clydesdale CC)! Rauf picked up another key wicket with the score on 53 but Shah and Ali then built a dangerous looking partnership for the fourth wicket. Drinks came at great time for the Warriors and allowed the bowlers to come up with a plan. The plan then worked perfectly as Shah was caught for 50 off the second ball after the re-start. This was the first wicket of an incredible ‘man of the match’ spell from Junaid Rauf (Clydesdale CC), as he finished with figures of 7-2-32-6! Despite an aggressive 42 from guest player Akram Shakoor of Stirling County CC, CSE Dubai finished 153 all out off 36 overs.
“In reply, despite the loss of an early wicket, Shahzad Ahmad (Ferguslie CC) and Muhaymen Majeed (Renfrew CC) built a very good partnership of 115 for the second wicket. The right/left partnership worked perfectly from a Warriors perspective, as the CSE Dubai bowlers struggled to find consistency – and the batters took full advantage to rotate the strike, as well as profiting from 24 wide deliveries! Although Ahmad (35) was dismissed just after the third rain break, skipper Daniel Cairns (Clydesdale CC) added a busy 18* and he and Majeed saw the side home. Majeed would deservedly finish 62* – his runs coming off 99 deliveries and including seven boundaries.
“Thanks to CSE Dubai for offering some competitive cricket during their tour, to the umpires who have stood and to both Clydesdale CC and Kelburne CC for their support with hosting matches.”