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Netherlands overcame some stubborn lower-order resistance from UAE to complete a 64-run win in their International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup match here on Sunday which keeps them within sight of the teams above them in the table.

The task appeared relatively straight forward for the visitors after they’d reduced UAE to 89 for 6 chasing 342, but a stand of 119 between Nizel Fernandes and Mohammad Tauqir kept them waiting until well into the final session.

After Netherlands failed to add to their overnight score — leaving Bas Zuiderent unbeaten on 149 — Edgar Schiferli, who claimed five in the first innings, struck with the opening delivery of the run chase.

Wickets fell regularly and when Peter Borren claimed two in quick succession the UAE were in deep trouble.

However, Fernandes and Tauqir got their heads down while also managing to keep the scoreboard ticking. The pressure was growing for Netherlands as Jeroen Smits rotated his bowling options.

The breakthrough, though, came from the field as Fernandes was run out. Tauqir fell shortly afterwards, trapped lbw for a fighting 64 off 115 balls.

Still, UAE refused to give in as Shoaib Sarwar put bat to ball in effective style with an unbeaten 55-ball 54. The final two wickets hung around with him, but the end came when Schiferli completed an outstanding match with his eighth wicket as he trapped Fahad Alhashmi in front.

Source:Cricket News