The Herald, Zimbabwe’s most prominent daily newspaper, branded the UAE Cricket Team a “rag-tag team of amateurs” after Dougie Brown’s side ended the country’s 2019 ICC World Cup qualification hopes on Thursday.

The headline, which prompted Brown to respond with the Tweet below, came after the UAE produced a fine performance to win by three runs (D/L) at Harare Sports Club and gain their first major victory in 15 one-day international encounters over a Full Member team.

Zimbabwe needed to beat either the West Indies or the UAE to reach next year’s cricketing showpiece in England and Wales but were beaten by Brown’s men, while Afghanistan turned over Ireland on Friday to end their chances.