Skipper Amjad Javed believes the UAE’s draw with Scotland in the ICC Intercontinental Cup shows the country is moving in the right direction.

The four-day encounter was a washout with only one day’s play possible in Ayr, but there was a silver lining for Javed and Co as the result meant the UAE earned their first points in the competition and halted a three-game losing streak.

Shaiman Anwar (78) and Rameez Shahzad (74) shone for interim coach Paul Franks’ men as his side recovered from losing three wickets in five balls which left them at 33-3 at one stage.

The UAE recovered superbly to end day one on 198-5 but only seven overs were possible before rain ended play on day two.

The rain failed to yield and the match was drawn, but Javed said their first points of the tournament provides a boost ahead of a World Cricket League Championship ODI double header with the Scots starting in Edinburgh tomorrow.

“When we arrived in Scotland we knew that the weather would play an important role but we kept our focus on cricket and the preparation was very good,” said the 36-year-old all-rounder.

“The boys were up for any challenge and to recover from 33-3 to 212-5 proved that mentally we are ready for it. Getting out from that situation and fighting hard on day one after early wickets shows that the boys believe in themselves and to get our first  points shows we are moving in the right direction and it will motivate the team for the upcoming matches.”

Franks, who was named interim coach following Aaqib Javed’s departure in May, said the draw left a bittersweet taste in the mouth as his team had put themselves in a decent position before the weather intervened.

“Confidence has been taken from the performance and while I would have preferred winning points, they are points none the less,” he said.