Ahmed Raza demands better after UAE wilt against Scotland

Ahmed Raza implored UAE’s batsmen to take ownership of a series comeback after their bruising 64-run loss to Scotland in Aberdeen on Wednesday.

The national team crumbled against the pace of Chris Sole and the left-arm spin of Mark Watt in the opening game of the Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series.

They were bowled out with more than eight overs left to play, marking the latest in a series of poor starts to tours.

The national team have lost the first match in five of the six tri-nations series they have played in the competition so far, and Raza says it is not good enough.

“If you want to look into excuses, you can give so many,” Raza, the UAE captain, said.

“These are different wickets. We aren’t playing at home. But we shouldn’t look into that at all. We have toured well, so we can’t make any excuses.

“We want to start series well. You don’t want to put yourself in a position where you are chasing the series. Now we are 1-0 down with three games left.”

The national team will face United States at the same ground on Thursday, knowing that points are crucial if they are to maintain their position in the top three of the table.

“Fighting for third position is not where we want to be as we feel we have played good enough cricket to push for second, or even first,” Raza said.

“This group has been together for two years now, so the message is simple. The batters have to take ownership.

“We can’t be all out with eight overs to go and 60 runs to get. That is a walk in the park if you have wickets in hand.”

UAE bowler Rohan Mustafa celebrates the wicket of Chris Greaves. Peter Della Penna / Cricket Scotland

UAE had to withstand a blistering onslaught by Scotland at the start of the game.

Kyle Coetzer, the former Scotland