Brandon King rules with 1st ODI ton as West Indies beat UAE by 7 wickets in series opener

West Indies had 88 balls to spare as the visitors won the ODI opener against United Arab Emirates by seven wickets in their first bilateral series on Sunday.

West Indies opener Brandon King got his first one-day international century with a run-a-ball 112 — including 12 fours and four sixes — and Shamarh Brooks scored 44.

New captain Shai Hope (13 not out) hit the winning runs with a six as West Indies reached 206-3 in 35.2 overs.

Choosing to bat first, UAE scored 202 all out in 47.1 overs with pacer Keemo Paul taking 3-34. Ali Naseer top-scored for the hosts with 58 off 52, and Vriitya Aravind scored a slower-placed 40 off 77.

The three one-dayers will also prepare the teams for the Cricket World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe this month.