News Sports Cricket World Cup 2015: UAE sets Zimbabwe target of 286 to win

World Cup 2015: UAE sets Zimbabwe target of 286 to win

Nelson, New Zealand: Shaiman Anwar scored 67 to help the United Arab Emirates post its highest total in a one-day international, reaching 285-7 after being sent in to bat by Zimbabwe on Thursday for its

world cup 2015 uae sets zimbabwe target of 286 to win world cup 2015 uae sets zimbabwe target of 286 to win

Nelson, New Zealand: Shaiman Anwar scored 67 to help the United Arab Emirates post its highest total in a one-day international, reaching 285-7 after being sent in to bat by Zimbabwe on Thursday for its first Cricket World Cup innings in two decades.

Khurram Khan contributed 45 to anchor the top order. Anwar raised his half century with a boundary to fine leg and a six down the ground off consecutive balls from Tinashe Panyangara in the 40th over but his enterprising, 50-ball innings ended four overs later when he was caught at mid-on off Tendai Chetara's bowling. After hitting nine boundaries and a six, and posting the second-highest score for the UAE at a World Cup, he was the last batsman from his team to fall.

Amjad Javed (25 not out) and Mohammad Naveed (23 not out) combined in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand that added 53 runs in the last six overs — including 20 runs in the 49th.

With 11 from the last over, Javed and Naveed ushered the UAE past its previous highest ODI total of 282-4 against fellow World Cup qualifier Afghanistan in Dubai last November.

The UAE's previous highest total in a World Cup was 220-3 against Netherlands in 1996, which led to its one and only win at the most important tournament in the 50-over format.

In another milestone, UAE skipper Mohammad Tauqir became the oldest captain in World Cup history at age 43.

Chetara (3-42) returned the best bowling figures for Zimbabwe, which is coming off a loss to South Africa in its opening match and has never successfully chased a total above 285 in the World Cup.