The USA got their tri-series campaign off to a thrilling start with a narrow win over the UAE today at Mannofield Park in Aberdeen.

The UAE batted first after captain Ahmed Raza won the toss. A third wicket partnership of 111 between Aryan Lakra and Vriitya Aravind provided the backbone to their innings, with the partnership ending when Lakra was run out for 84.

Aravind was the next man out for 53, whilst the next highest score was Chundangapoyil Rizwan’s 39. They scored 253-8 from their 50 overs with Saurabh Netravalkar the pick of the USA bowlers with 3-44.

It was a third wicket partnership that provided the backbone to the USA run chase too, with Monank Patel and Aaron Jones putting on 126 for the third wicket before Jones was dismissed for 51. Patel batted on and reached 85 before he was the next man out.

The UAE bowlers then tried to put a strangle on the run scoring, though they were interrupted by an unusual weather interruption when a sudden gust of wind knocked over the sightscreen.

The USA managed to get into a situation where they needed nine from the last two overs with two wickets in hand. Gajanand Singh hit the first ball of the penultimate over for four but Cameron Stevenson was run out without facing a ball as they tried for a second run from the next ball.

Two more runs came from the rest of the over and then Singh hit the first ball of the last for four to secure the last gasp one wicket win.

The USA will be back in action on Saturday when they play hosts Scotland, whilst the UAE will play the Scots on Sunday.