The UAE will go into their Women’s World Twenty20 opener against the Netherlands in buoyant mood after they defeated Uganda by 29 runs in Thursday’s warm-up game.

A week after arriving in Amsterdam, the UAE played their only practice game against Uganda in what will give them a lot of confidence ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Dutch.

At Voorburg, former Sri Lankan international Chamani Seneviratna showed why she will be a vital player for the UAE when the 39-year-old scored 55 runs.

Her knock came from 45 deliveries including five boundaries and a six, which was integral as the UAE set a competitive total of 128-5. Esha Oza and Udeni Dona also contributed with 27 and 32 runs respectively.

In reply, Uganda reached 99-7 with Kavisha Kumari the pick of the bowlers with 2-16. Captain Humaira Tasneem, Heena Hotchandani, Subha Srinivasan and Seneviratna also took one scalp each.

The UAE will now take on Netherlands after being drawn alongside the Dutch, Papua New Guinea and Asian T20 champions Bangladesh.

Ireland, Scotland, Uganda and Thailand make up the eight-team tournament with two nations qualifying to the 2018 World Twenty20 in the West Indies.