Pakistan aim for better batting display against UAE

SYDNEY: Pakistan look to back-up their first win of the tournament, a scrappy 20-run success against Zimbabwe, with a victory over the UAE in Napier on Wednesday.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq wants to see a much-improved batting display following 76 and 150-run defeats by India and the West Indies in their opening two pool matches.

Even the win over Zimbabwe saw Pakistan held to a modest total of 235 for seven.

“From now on we have to play every game as if it is a knockout match,” said Misbah.

"I think the top order is always the key, and if we really want to go further in this World Cup, we have to improve that," he said.

The UAE have yet to win a match at this tournament, with Pakistan-born batsman Shaiman Anwar the shining light with scores of 67, 106 and 35 in defeats by Zimbabwe, Ireland and India respectively.

Despite being an amateur side, the UAE were competitive during a narrow two-wicket loss to Ireland and four-wicket defeat by Zimbabwe.

But they came unstuck last time out with a nine-wicket thrashing by world champions India.

"We had two good games to start with," said UAE captain Mohammad Tauqir. "We would like to erase this game (against India) as soon as possible.”

"This whole tournament is a learning experience for us," he said.