World Cup: Zimbabwe to bowl first against UAE

Wicket is expected to offer assistance to quick bowlers early before it flattens out to become a perfect batting strip

NELSON: Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bowl against the United Arab Emirates in their Pool B World Cup match at Saxton Oval in Nelson on Thursday.

Zimbabwe lost their opening match to South Africa by 62 runs while it is the first outing in the tournament for the UAE.

Although beaten by South Africa, Zimbabwe were not disgraced and have kept the same line up in their search for their first points in the tournament.

UAE, a squad of part-time cricketers, return to the World Cup for the first time since their sole previous experience in 1996 while Zimbabwe have been regular fixtures since 1983.

Captain Mohammad Tauqir forecast a bold opening saying the pitch looked good and UAE "are targetting a score of 280-300."

The wicket is expected to offer assistance to the quick bowlers early before it flattens out to become a perfect batting strip and with short boundaries at the ground there is the potential for high scores.

The two sides have never met before and the UAE have lost all 10 of their previous ODIS against Test-playing nations.

Teams

Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (capt), Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Tinashe Panyangara, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams

UAE: Mohammad Tauqir (capt), Khurram Khan, Amjad Ali, Amjad Javed, Andri Berenger, Krishna Chandran, Mohammad Naveed, Nasir Aziz, Swapnil Patil, Rohan Mustafa, Shaiman Anwar

Umpires: Chris Gaffaney (NZL), Johan Cloete (RSA)

TV Umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG)

Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)

Weather: Fine at first, late showers. Maximum temperature 25 Celsius