Nath and Usmani star as UAE stun Netherlands in thrilling chase

Akshdeep Nath fell agonisingly short of a century, but his brilliant 99 helped the United Arab Emirates pull off a superb five-wicket victory over the Netherlands in a thrilling one-day international encounter.

Chasing a challenging target of 264, the UAE reached 266 for five with just six balls remaining, thanks to a magnificent partnership between Nath and wicketkeeper Adeeb Usmani. Nath struck five fours and four sixes in a superb 88-ball innings, while Usmani provided the perfect support with an unbeaten 81 from 93 deliveries, including three boundaries and two maximums.

The pair added 93 for the fifth wicket to take the UAE to the brink of victory before Nath departed with the score on 258, just one run short of what would have been a richly deserved century. Awais Ali Shah (7 not out) then joined Usmani to complete the job.

Earlier, the Netherlands had recovered from the early loss of Cedric de Lange for a duck to post what appeared a competitive 263 for four.

Max O'Dowd continued his excellent form with a superb 106 from 119 balls, striking ten fours and three sixes. He shared a crucial third-wicket partnership of 106 with Scott Edwards before falling to Aayan Afzal Khan. Edwards continued the momentum with an unbeaten 94 from 95 deliveries, adding an unbroken 81 with Colin Ackermann (34 not out).

Aayan was the pick of the UAE attack with three for 48, while Muhammad Rohid impressed with one for 28 from his ten overs.

The UAE chase suffered early setbacks, slipping to 87 for three despite a brisk 19 from Muhammad Waseem. However, Usmani held the innings together, sharing a useful stand with Sohaib Khan (28) before Nath's explosive contribution transformed the contest.

Bas de Leede claimed two for 44, but the Dutch attack simply had no answer to the match-winning partnership.