Easy win for New Zealand A

New Zealand A began the first of their four one-dayers in the UAE with a simple win against the hosts. Carried to 246 by a half-century from opener Martin Guptill, the seamers then combined to ensure UAE fell short by 78 runs.

New Zealand A were inserted, and were given a solid platform by the openers Anton Devcich and Guptill. They added 111 before Devcich was caught behind. Guptill, though, completed a half-century, top scoring with 75 off 94 with 11 fours and two sixes. But the rest of the line-up couldn't really build on that start, with several getting starts but no one else really kicking on as New Zealand were bowled out in the final over.

However, UAE were off to a woeful start in the chase, losing three of their top five for ducks, and that meant the target was always beyond them. The only resistance came from Nos. 6 and 7, Shaiman Anwar and Krishna Karate, who both made half-centuries and added 89 for the sixth wicket. New Zealand A's new-ball pair of Kyle Mills and Adam Milne had done most of the damage at the top, and Daniel Vettori chipped in with a wicket in an economic spell.