ICC World Cup 2015: West Indies beat UAE convincingly and stay in race for quarter-final berth

The West Indies, minus Chris Gayle, defeated the United Arab Emirates at McLean Park, Napier, and moved one step closer to playing the Black Caps in the quarter-finals of the ICC World Cup 2015.

However, a result is needed to confirm the Caribbean side's quarter-final berth in the last Group B match between Pakistan and Ireland, as the losing side of this match would be knocked out of the tournament. If the match is washed out, both Pakistan and Ireland will enter the quarter-final leg of the tournament.

Earlier in the match, the West Indies won the toss and asked the UAE to bat. With some outstanding bowling from skipper Jason Holder and Jerome Taylor, the Asian side were reduced to 26 for the loss of five wickets as Holder claimed three quick wickets, while Taylor grabbed two.

The West Indies needed to win the game emphatically to boost their run rate to confirm a spot in the quarter-finals and they got the start they wanted. But with a tropical cyclone looming, the West Indies seemed to have lost focus and let middle order batsmen Amjad Javed and Nasir Aziz pile on 107 runs between them, thus resulting in the UAE reaching 175 runs in 47.4 overs.

With Chris Gayle out of the side due to a back injury, Johnson Charles got an opportunity and the youngster looked in fine form. He got off to a flyer and brought in his 50 off 34 balls.

With the UAE bowlers failing to apply the brakes on the West Indian batting line-up, it was only a matter of time before the Caribbean side reached their target.

After Charles was dismissed, Jonathan Carter (50 not out) and Denesh Ramdin (33) helped their side achieve the total with six wickets and 19.3 overs to spare, thus ensuring they stay in the race for the quarter-finals.