Medium pacer Mohammad Naveed insists the UAE are high on confidence as they look to register their second straight victory over Kenya on Saturday.

On Thursday, Naveed was the stand-out bowler with four scalps as the UAE beat Kenya by five wickets in their ICC World Cricket League Championship opener in Southampton.

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Left-arm seamer Manjula Guruge was also in fine form, finishing with figures of 3-29 as Kenya were all out for 171, before opener Amjad Ali top-scored with 49 as the UAE reached their target with 50 deliveries remaining.

It was a performance that would’ve delighted the UAE coach Aaqib Javed, who is unlikely to make any changes and Naveed is keen to see a repeat today.

“It was a very good all-round show by us,” said Naveed. “It was a very important game given it was our first game of the competition and that it was the first 50-over game since the World Cup.

“The confidence is sky high at the moment and we want keep this going when we face Kenya on Saturday.”

Naveed showed his potential with the ball finishing with figures of 4-36.

“It was pleasing to get four wickets. I’ve worked extremely hard since the World Cup to improve my bowling because I did okay but always wanted to do better,” said the 28-year-old. 

“Aaqib Javed has been a great help and so has his coaching team as they told me to continue bowling in straight lines. Now it is important to carry this form forward.”

Prior to the team’s departure earlier this week, captain Mohammad Tauqir made it no secret that it is important to get the UK tour off to a winning start ahead of their World Twenty20 qualifiers on July 9. 

Scotland, Afghanistan, Netherlands, Canada, Kenya and Oman all await the UAE, as they look to clinch a top-six finish in the 14-team event to book their ticket to India for next year’s showpiece event.

Qualification would seal a second straight World Twenty20 appearance for the UAE after reaching the 2014 edition.