Dubai: In spite of their impressive batting, rain washed out USA’s maiden T20I match against UAE hosted at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Friday.
USA displayed their talent with the bat in the historic encounter. UAE got an early breakthrough when spinner Sultan Ahmed bowled Xavier Marshall for one. However, Jaskaran Malhotra and Steven Taylor went on to put a 70-run stand together for the second wicket.
Taylor smashed 39-ball 72, which saw nine boundaries and three sixes. He helped his side to reach 86/2 in 9.3 overs before rain interrupted the occasion. The innings resumed with the match reduced to just 15 overs a side. USA lifted themselves to post 152/7, courtesy Roy Silva’s 25 off just seven balls.
USA enjoyed the second innings as well with the ball. UAE opener Ashfaq Ahmed was dismissed off pacer Jasdeep Singh for a first ball duck. Two overs later, Singh bowled Rohan Mustafa, leaving UAE 20/2. With the adverse weather, UAE could only add nine more runs before rain returned and spoiled the match, which ended with no result. USA and UAE will play the second T20I on March 16 at the same venue.