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Cricket

Athanaze’s debut 65 propels the West Indies to an ODI series whitewash of the UAE

The West Indies whitewashed the United Arab Emirates in a one-day international series on Friday, with Alick Athanaze leading the way with 65 runs on debut. The UAE batted first and were bowled out for 184 in 37 overs in the third match, their lowest total in the series. West Indies offspinner Kevin Sinclair led the charge in his debut series outing, taking 4-24 from 7.1 overs. Yannic Cariah took two of the tailspins.

The West Indies triumphed by four wickets after cruising to the goal in 35.1 overs. Both sides utilised the series to prepare for the Cricket World Cup qualifiers, which begin this weekend in Zimbabwe. West Indies defeated UAE 3-0 in Sharjah, with Alick Athanaze scoring the joint-fastest half-century on ODI debut and Kevin Sinclair returning with a four-wicket haul. Athanaze, who idolises Brian Lara, unleashed some daring pulls that would have made Lara pleased, while Sinclair got a strong grip and turn to set off an 8-for-42 UAE collapse.

On Friday, Athanaze started off strong by hitting left-arm fingerspinner Aayan Afzal Khan for two sixes. Then, he hit seamer Junaid Siddique for three fours, getting to 30 in just 11 balls. Then, with a struck four off Rohan Mustafa, he tied Krunal Pandya’s record for the joint-fastest fifty on ODI debut. Athanaze looked like he was going to make a hundred on his first game, but Aayan stopped him at 65 after 45 balls.

Aayan and wristspinner Karthik Meiyappan, whose staple ball is the no-ball, then forced the West Indies middle order to work hard for the victory. In the absence of regular captain Shai Hope and vice-captain Brandon King, who were both rested as part of a number of substitutions, the West Indies went 81 deliveries without scoring a boundary. However, stand-in commander Roston Chase and Keemo Paul concluded the pursuit without further incident.

However, Sinclair was the greatest spinner that day. He began his career as a dart-firing popgun, but in recent years he has acquired greater control over his offbreak. This offbreak accounted for UAE’s leading scorer and vice-captain, Vriitya Aravind (70), as well as Aayan and Rameez Shahzad. Sinclair complemented legspinner Yannic Cariah splendidly, who returned 2 for 34. Chase did not take a wicket, but he was the West Indies’ most economical bowler, allowing only 3.87 runs per over. The UAE will be encouraged by the performances of their spinners. Aayan stepped up to bowl with the fresh ball after varying his angles and pace with the old one. Karthik, who had lost 55 runs in 4.2 overs in the first game of the series, recovered so well that he was on the edge of a hat-trick at one stage. Reifer prevented a hat-trick, but Karthik’s wrong’un remained a threat.

UAE’s start had been more hopeful as they chose to take the opening strike. Aravind and skipper Muhammad Waseem added 96 runs for the second wicket in 55 balls. Both hitters often hit over the top, disrupting the lengths and lines of the West Indies seamers.

In the 12th over, Reifer went around the wicket and hit the top of Waseem’s off stump, breaking the stand. Aravind went on to score a fifty off 42 balls, but Sinclair continued to strike as UAE’s innings escalated out of control. Sinclair’s celebration somersaults stood out just as much as his offbreaks and sliders.

The UAE was led by Vriitya Aravind, who got a score of 70. In the 23rd over, the UAE was 150-3. But the team started to fall apart after Rohan Mustafa and Ethan D’Souza, both of whom were making their first appearances, ran out. At 166-6, Aravind was out when Sinclair hit his front pad in line with his middle stump. The UAE kept going for six more overs after that. Aravind’s opening batsman and leader, Muhammad Waseem, helped him with 40 runs. Together, they scored 69 runs.

UAE finally collapsed for 184, leaving nearly 14 overs unused in their innings. Despite the best efforts of Aayan and Karthik, they would be unable to return.

Brandon King, Player of the Series: “The team has given me confidence, the century was great. I was trying to do the best for the team. They UAE provided a good challenge, they are in their home conditions and know how to bowl here. They played very competitive cricket. I always enjoy coming here.”

Kevin Sinclair, Player of the Match: “It was my dream to play for WI and perform and to do that today was special. Will always cherish it. The wicket was good. It was all about hitting the areas. Two days ago was my grandfather’s 75th birthday, and this performance is for him. Can’t get any better than this. The staff has supported me and backed me. They know my talent and my abilities. Hats off to them.”

West Indies 185/6 [Athanaze 65, Brooks 39, Aayan 2/40] defeat UAE 184 [Aravind 70, Waseem 42, Sinclair 4-/4, Cariah 2/34) by 4 wickets.

 

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Farzeen K

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