Despite a highly impressive batting display from USA in their maiden T20I, rain meant that their match with UAE finished with no result.
The ICC Academy in Dubai played host to a historic encounter, but adverse weather spoiled the occasion, although not before USA displayed their talents with the bat in hand.
UAE won the toss and elected to field, and made an early breakthrough when Sultan Ahmed bowled former West Indies batsman Xavier Marshall for one. Jaskaran Malhotra and Steven Taylor then went on to put on 70 runs together for the second wicket.
Taylor, who has represented Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League, was the star of the show for USA, hitting 72 from just 39 balls, with nine boundaries and three sixes included in his knock.
After Taylor reached his half-century, with USA well-positioned on 86/2 after 9.3 overs, a lengthy rain delay interrupted proceedings. The innings resumed with the match reduced to 15 overs a side. The break in play didn’t interrupt the Americans’ momentum. Despite a flurry of wickets, the batting side lifted themselves to 152/7, thanks to a staggering 7-ball 25 from 38-year-old Roy Silva.
With the ball, USA enjoyed an excellent start. UAE opener Ashfaq Ahmed was out from his first ball faced – his pull shot finding Monank Patel at midwicket off the bowling of Jasdeep Singh. Singh then had Rohan Mustafa bowled two overs later to leave UAE 20/2. Nine more runs were added to the UAE total before rain returned once more, eventually ending the match.
The second T20I will be played on 16 March at the same venue.
