India stay perfect with big win over UAE

India have defeated the United Arab Emirates by nine wickets in their Cricket World Cup clash against at the WACA Ground in Perth.

After rolling the UAE for 102, batsmen Rohit Sharma (57 not out) and Virat Kohli (33 not out) guided India safely to the target inside 19 overs.

MS Dhoni's men were without fast bowler Mohammed Shami and coach Duncan Fletcher, but the latter will return for India's next match against the West Indies on Mach 6 at the same venue.

Spinner Ravi Ashwin was the hero with 4-25 off 10 overs, while Ravindra Jadeja continued the spinathon with 2-23.

If it wasn't for a 31-run last-wicket partnership between Shaiman Anwar (35 off 49 balls) and Manjula Guruge (10 not out), the damage would have been far worse for UAE.

Anwar cracked six boundaries to top score for his side, continuing his hot run of form after he scored 106 against Ireland and 67 against Zimbabwe.

The UAE's total was the 18th lowest in World Cup history.

Canada still holds the record - a team total of 36 against Sri Lanka in 2003.

Although the UAE were outclassed, they did produce the highlight of the match - a one-handed catch above his head from Rohan Mustafa at point.

With the ICC planning to cut the next World Cup from 14 teams to 10, countries such as the UAE are at risk of missing out.

But UAE skipper Mohammad Tauqir said it was important for the lesser nations to be able to play at the World Cup.

"I think the more we play against these bigger nations, the more we learn and the more we perform," Tauqir said.

"And that fear of the bigger team would not be there.

"The more we play, the better for the Associate nations.

"We had two good games (against Zimbabwe and India), and one off day (against India).

"We would like to forget about this game as soon as possible."