Scorecard
United Arab Emirates defeated Canada by 97 runs in the ICC CWC League 2, 2023-27 at Forthill, Dundee, on Tuesday, after Rahul Chopra's unbeaten 127 anchored a total of 282 for 6 before Canada's chase collapsed to 185 in 33.4 overs.

Chopra, named Player of the Match, faced 118 balls and struck 15 fours and a six. He also contributed with the ball, taking one wicket for six runs from his only over as UAE completed a comprehensive victory.
Canada opener Aaron Johnson offered some resistance with a gritty 70 off 73 deliveries as Canada fell to the UAE by 97 runs. File photo by Shiek Mohamed

Canada won the toss and chose to field, and their decision initially appeared justified when UAE slipped to 21 for 2 inside the seventh over. Kaleem Sana accounted for Aryansh Sharma for 2 and Adeeb Usmani for 12, while Ansh Patel removed Muhammad Shahdad for 20 to leave UAE 72 for 3 in the 17th over.

Harpreet Singh Bhatia then provided the innings with its first major acceleration. He made 81 from 79 balls, hitting seven fours and a six, and added 109 with Chopra for the fourth wicket. Their partnership shifted the momentum firmly towards UAE before Bhatia was dismissed by Sana at 181 in the 36th over.

Chopra continued to control the innings through the middle and late overs. Akshdeep Nath contributed 10 before falling at 210, and Sohaib Khan made six as Zahid Shirzad claimed two late wickets. Chopra remained unbeaten and Aayan Afzal Khan finished with an unbeaten six from seven balls as UAE reached 282 for 6 from their 50 overs.

Sana was Canada's most successful bowler, finishing with 3 for 39 from 10 overs, while Shirzad took 2 for 52. UAE's total, however, proved beyond Canada's reach after a disastrous start to the chase.

Canada lost Yuvraj Samra for 4 and Matthew Spoors for a duck inside the first three overs, and Anoop Chima and Shreyas Movva soon followed. Aaron Johnson briefly revived the innings with 70 from 73 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, but wickets continued to fall around him.

Saad Bin Zafar made 20 before Canada reached 111 for 6, while Zahid Shirzad produced the most explosive innings of the chase, smashing 54 from only 26 balls with four fours and five sixes. His counterattack delayed the inevitable, but Canada were eventually bowled out for 185 in 33.4 overs.

Muhammad Jawadullah led UAE's attack with 3 for 36 from seven overs, while Muhammad Arfan took 2 for 24 and Aayan Afzal Khan returned 1 for 20 from 7.4 overs, including three maidens. Aayan's economy rate of 2.61 was the best among UAE's main bowlers.

The 97-run victory strengthens UAE's position in the ICC CWC League 2, 2023-27, while Canada's failure to chase 283 leaves them with ground to make up in the competition. The result also underlines UAE's all-round control, with Chopra's century followed by a disciplined bowling performance that closed out the match inside 34 overs.