United Arab Emirates won the toss and sent Pakistan in to bat on Wednesday in a Cricket World Cup Pool B match that could be pivotal for both teams.
McLean Park is traditionally a batsman’s pitch and the decision of UAE captain Mohammad Tauqir to field first was unexpected but may give his bowlers use of a little bit of moisture at the start of the game. Tauqir said he hoped the decision would allow his team to apply early pressure, while Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq said he was happy to bat first.
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UAE and Pakistan occupy the last two places in Pool B. Pakistan posted its first win in three matches on Sunday when it beat Zimbabwe by 20 runs. UAE is winless after three games.
Pakistan: Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shehzad, Haris Sohail, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan.
UAE: Amjad Ali, Andri Berenger, Krishna Chandran, Khurram Khan, Swapnil Patil, Shaiman Anwar, Rohan Mustafa, Amjad Javed, Mohammad Naveed, Mohammad Tauqir (captain), Manjula Guruge.
Umpires: Johan Cloete, South Africa, and Sundaram Ravi, India.
TV umpire: Richard Illingworth, England. Match referee: Chris Broad, England.
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