The UAE twice fought back from a position of peril to make a fine start to the Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off in Namibia.
The national team eventually signed off on a 21-run win over Papua New Guinea in their opening game at the Wanderers in Windhoek.
Even so early in the competition, it was a vital blow struck by a side who have been beset by problems in recent times. The six-team event carries with it two places in the next stage of the World Cup competition process, which is the global Qualifier in Zimbabwe in June and July.
Because of an alarming slump in results of late, the UAE are also playing for ODI status in Windhoek. They have to finish in the top two out of four teams – the others being PNG, Jersey and Canada – to be assured of that.