CP Rizwan wants UAE 'to make an impact in world cricket' after historic win over Namibia

CP Rizwan says UAE want "to make an impact in world cricket" after picking up their first victory in T20 World Cup history.

The national team’s seven-run win over Namibia in Geelong on Thursday ended their opposition’s chances of advancing to the Super 12 phase of the event.

The UAE themselves also exited at the group stage, and will board a flight back to Dubai early on Friday.

The 15-hour trip home will be made more bearable by their thrilling success in their final game in Australia.

It was just the second World Cup win in the country’s cricket history, after they beat the Netherlands in 1996 in the 50-over version, and Rizwan hopes it will prompt many more.

“It has been a really good journey,” captain Rizwan said. “There have been a lot of good moments. There are lessons to be learnt. With this first win, we can take this forward and try to make an impact in world cricket further also.”

Rizwan himself played a fine hand with the bat, as UAE reached 148-3 from their 20 overs.

First, he shared in a 58-run stand with Muhammad Waseem, who made 50. Then at the end, he and Basil Hameed put on 35 in just 18 balls as UAE finished their innings on a high.

After his late overs cameo, Hameed also shone with the ball, making early inroads into the Namibia batting.

“When you have that sort of innings you carry forward the momentum into your bowling as well,” Hameed said.

“More than anything I desperately wanted some runs. Everybody had been working hard for UAE cricket. Everybody wanted to win the game and give something for the nation back at home.

“I enjoyed it, and it meant I had good positive vibes in bowling and fielding as well.”

Waseem earned the player of the match award, primarily for his half-century, but also for the