United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Chennai-born wicketkeeper-batter Vriitya Aravind created history in Kirtipur on April 19. Aravind registered scored 185 runs against Kuwait to break an eight-year-old for UAE. The 20-year-old’s 185-run knock is now the highest score by a UAE batter in ODIs. The previous best belonged to Khurram Khan who scored 132 not out against Afghanistan on November 30, 2014.
Top-order collapse
Aravind walked out to bat in the first over itself as Shahrukh Quddus got the wicket of Muhammad Waseem. In the next over, the other opener Aryan Lakra lost his wicket for a two-ball duck. Quddus struck in his third over as well and got the wicket of Rameez Shahzad. UAE found themselves struggling for 24/3 in the fifth over itself.
Century after cautious start
Aravind was cautious at the start and did not play too many risky shots. He got to his half-century from 75 balls. After getting to the fifty-run mark, Aravind decided to attack. He showed first signs of naked aggression in the 24th over with two sixes and a four off Mohammed Aslam. On the other end, Rohan Mustafa played the supporting role and got to his half-century. Aravind got to his century from 118 balls in the 39th over.
Aravind, Mustafa go berserk
UAE were 197/3 after 40 overs and it looked like they will reach 300 if they accelerate. But Aravind and Mustafa smashed Kuwait bowlers all around the park. In the 41st over, Aravind hit Parvinder Kumar for two sixes and a four. In the next over, Mustafa did the same to Quddus. The onslaught continued from both ends. Mustafa got to his century with a boundary in the 44th over. He took 118 deliveries.
Partnership record equalled
In the 47th over, Sayed Monib broke the partnership. He scored 118 runs from 125 deliveries including 10 fours and two sixes. The two batters shared a 275-run partnership for the fourth wicket. It is the joint-highest partnership for the fourth wicket. In 1998, Indian pair Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja shared an unbeaten 275-run partnership against Zimbabwe.
66 runs in last three overs
In the 48th over, Aravind launched an all out attack smashing Shiraz Khan for five fours and one six. In the penultimate over, Asif Khan contributed with a cameo by smashing Monib for three sixes and two fours. In the last over, Aravind needed 21 runs to get to his double ton. He started off with a six but lost his wicket in the next ball. He scored 185 runs from 147 balls including 17 fours and nine sixes. Asif lost his wicket to Parvinder off the final ball. He contributed with a cameo of 30 ff just nine deliveries. UAE batters scored 174 runs in the final 10 overs to post 371/6 on the board, their highest in the format.
Big win for UAE
In reply, Kuwait failed to put up a fight. Parvindar's 26-ball 53 including seven sixes and Monib's 36-ball 68 studded with five fours and six sixes were the two highlights of the innings. Junaid Siddique and Karthik Meiyappan took three wickets each as Kuwait got all out for 228 and lost the game by 143 runs.
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