Tauqir defends UAE batting tactics

UAE captain Mohammad Tauqir has defended his side against criticism that they did not really try to chase down the target that was set by South Africa in their World Cup Pool B match in Wellington on Thursday.

Chasing a massive total of 342, none of the UAE batsmen made any genuine attempt to keep up with the required run-rate, which was just below seven runs to the over. They were eventually bowled out for 195 in almost 48 overs, going at a run-rate of 4.10.

While a case can be made for Associate teams trying to bat out the 50 overs against bigger cricketing nations, some experts feel that by doing that they actually do not learn anything. They are better off trying to go for the target and see how far they get.

Tauqir, defending his team, said: "We tried our best. This was the best we could have done. Playing 50 overs against them is a great learning experience for our side and gives a lot of confidence to us and our batters.

"The more opportunities we get the better we become."

The UAE have one more match at the tournament, against the West Indies in Napier on Sunday.

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