UZI Qureshi marked his return to the Wiltshire side with a match-winning knock of 80 as they began their 2018 campaign with a two-wicket win at home to Warminster in the Unicorns Knockout Trophy on Sunday.

Qureshi has not featured for the county since May 2016 but provided the backbone of their run chase at Warminster as they successful overhauled Wales’ target of 212.

Arriving at the crease with Wiltshire on 39-1, Qureshi guided Wiltshire to the brink of victory when he finally became the sixth home batsman to fall with the score on 196.

Late hitting from Ashur Morrison (34) eventually did see Wiltshire over the winning line with an over to spare as they finished on 213-8.

Coach Tom Morton said: “It was a really pleasing start to the season and it is always good to kick the year off on a positive note.

“To chase 212 was always going to be difficult with the rain we have had recently, as it meant for a tricky wicket and a slow outfield, but the guys did really well.

“Uzi batted really well. I think he was still there in the 45th over when we were getting close to the target, and that’s really important in one-day cricket, to have one of your top four bat all the way through.

“We lost a cluster of wickets around him early on so he did brilliantly, and it was a decent return for him after being out of the side for a few years.”

Wiltshire skipper Ed Young had earlier won the toss and asked Wales to bat first and Tahir Afridi did the primary damage with the ball as he returned figures of 3-29.

Opener Joe Voke had looked likely to carry Wales to a bigger total than the 212-7 they did post off their 50 overs until he was run-out by Jake Goodwin for 77.

Morton added: “Our spinners bowled really well and we also got a really important run-out to remove one of their key players.

“That swung the momentum in our favour a bit, and from there, we were able to keep a rein on them quite well.”

Wiltshire now turn their attentions to the new Unicorns T20 competition as they play two matches away at Dorset on Sunday.

“It is a new competition, but I think it is going to suit us. We have got some young, powerful, energetic players and that’s what you need in the shorter format,” said Morton.

“It is something we have not played in as a side before so it is difficult to predict how we will get on, but the guys have played T20 cricket before and we’re all looking forward to it.”