*UNITED ARAB EMIRATES VS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 9th PLACE PLAYOFF PREVIEW- ICC WORLDCUP QUALIFIERS 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
USA and UAE, two of the most underwhelming sides of this tournament are all set to clash at Harare in order to seal the 9th place. The loser would have taken nothing out of this tournament, making it one big failure that they will have to reflect upon, in the times to come. Both these outfits have a golden chance to kick start their campaign tomorrow, as depressing as this may sound, they are yet to get off the mark which explains the scenario very clearly. A win tomorrow will be morale boosting even if it’s for a little while and whichever side goes onto lose even this one, will turn out to be one unhappy unit.
The States did a remarkable job, to stand upto WestIndies in their inaugural game but their biggest bashing came against Zimbabwe where Sean Williams smoked them by a 304 runs by smashing a 101 ball 174. On the other hand, UAE were a disappointing lot throughout. Even in their opening, they gave us all a knockout scare already with a 175 run beating vs Srilanka, who have already qualified for the WorldCup in India. Winning tomorrow seems like an uphill task for a side that has been consistent with their losses but they will look to put everything into it.
*USA PROBABLE XI:*
Monank Patel (c & wk), Sushant Modani, Steven Taylor, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Gajanand Singh, Nisarg Patel, Nosthush Kenjige, Abhishek Paradkar, Usman Rafiq, Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar
The bowling attack has been torn apart in most games, and the side needs good spells from Saurabh Netravalkar and Ali Khan with the new ball.
Openers Steven Taylor and Sushant Modani have shown some promise, and the side will expect a good start from them. Nailing this aspect of their cricket will automatically give them the head start that is needed out of USA, making it easier for them. Monank Patel is expected to bring his experience into play in the middle order.
*UAE PROBABLE XI:*
Muhammad Waseem (c), Rohan Mustafa, Vriitya Aravind (wk), Basil Hameed, Asif Khan, Rameez Shahzad, Ali Naseer, Aayan Afzal Khan, Karthik Meiyappan, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique
The side will need a good start in this game from Muhammad Waseem and Rohan Mustafa, who have a lot of experience. Vriitya Aravind has been in good form in the last 12 months, and he must anchor the innings in the middle order. A lot would be riding on Aravind’s shoulders as the youngster has hardly shown what he was doing all this while, in the competition making it a failure for him. Better returns were needed and anticipated and he’d look to finish on a high.
The players have gotten the exposure and have played against the best in the world. Waseem would like to go home with a win and expect a good show from his players in this game. Junaid Siddique and Ali Naseer haven't been consistent, a task which they were expected to nail but due to the pressure of this tourney and the added expectations, they havent been able to and the team will need early wickets from them in this game to finish on a high and dismantle the batting order of the USA.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR USA:*
Highest run getter- Monank Patel/Gajanand Singh
Highest wicket taker- Saurabh Netravalkar
*FOR UAE:*
Highest run getter- Vriithya Aravind/Muhammad Waseem
Highest wicket taker- Junaid Siddiqui
*FOR THE GAME:*
USA to win