Cricket: UAE in World Cup

FOR THE first time, the Middle East will be represented in the World Cup. By defeating the Netherlands by six wickets in the second semi-final of the ICC Trophy here yesterday, the unseeded United Arab Emirates earned a place in Sunday's final against Kenya and a trip to the Indian subcontinent, writes Mark Newham from Nairobi.

The UAE's win also made a nonsense of the seedings. Only Bermuda, the fourth seeds, have made UAE fight by scoring a seemingly insurmountable 329. Needing to beat Bermuda to top their second- round table, UAE did it with one wicket and two balls to spare.

Against the second favourites, Bangladesh, in the first round, UAE registered a six-wicket victory and then repeated the performance against the Netherlands yesterday.

ICC TROPHY Semi-final (Nairobi): United Arab Emirates bt Netherlands by 6 wickets. Netherlands 194 (48.3 overs; T De Leede 52); UAE 195 for 4 (44.4 overs; Mohammad Ishaq 72no, Salim Raza 65no).