A 60 run winning margin for the Windies was to be expected, but the level of resistance from the UAE will have surprised many as they totalled 297 losing only six wickets in their chase.

At lunch the expectation was UAE would bat for respectability rather than attempt to chase the Windies massive 357/4 but their response was miles better than that.

With Chris Gayle leading the way with 123 and then Shimron Hetmyer's 127 the Windies looked to be on target for a record total but in the end had to settle for 'only' 357.

After a steady start the Emirates produced a fourth wicket stand of 144 between Rameez Shahzad (112*) and Shaiman Anwar (64) that said much for their determination not to be totally outclassed by their illustrious opponents.

They withstood the Windies attack for whom the only real success story was captain Jason Holder who claimed 5 of the 6 wickets to fall, but the attack in general lacked their usual penetration and they will need to up their game in future matches if they are not to find themselves totally reliant on their stellar batting line up.

MATCH SUMMARY

WEST INDIES V U.A.E., 50 over match, Old Hararians. 6 March.

West Indies 357-4 (50 overs; S Hetmeyer 127, C Gayle 123, S Hope 35*, E Lewis 31)
UAE 297-6 (50 overs; R Shahzad 112*, Shaiman Anwar 64, A Mufti 45, C Suri 38; J Holder 5-53)

WIndies win by 60 runs.