Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE national cricket team has departed for India to begin their ICC T20 World Cup campaign, carrying a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent.
Following a late squad announcement after a hard-fought series against Ireland in Dubai, the team enters the tournament seeking to translate recent flashes of brilliance into consistent global performances.
The squad, a mixed bunch of expatriates from the subcontinent, arrives in India with the advantage of familiarity for nearly half the roster. While the team's Pakistan-origin players faced no visa hurdles for the journey to the neighbouring nation, the travelling party was slightly diminished as the media manager remains in the UAE awaiting travel clearance. The team will establish their base in Chennai for the opening fixture of Group D before travelling to the Indian capital, New Delhi.
Coach Lalchand Rajput remains optimistic despite a recent series loss, viewing the matches against Ireland as a necessary testing ground for tactical combinations. "We had to try some combinations because we know what we are going to get in the World Cup," Rajput said.
"Mentally they are prepared for that. The best thing is that you have got to believe in yourself. Cricket is all about being positive and sticking to the basics."
Yet, the big stage fright can be for real, especially in a country like India where the sport has millions and millions of die-hard enthusiasts. The squad relies heavily on a core of three players who possess previous World Cup experience: captain Muhammad Waseem, Alishan Sharafu, and Junaid Siddiqui.
Waseem, who will lead the side, acknowledged the weight of the responsibility. "Leading the team in the World Cup is a very big achievement for me," Waseem stated. "I will try my whole way to lead the team from the front. It is a very good team; we have very good talent all over the UAE. [Apart from the forementioned three] I hope at least two or three guys will explore themselves and make a mark in the World Cup."
The UAE have proven to be giant-killers on their day, recording notable victories over New Zealand and the West Indies, alongside a series win against Bangladesh. They also pushed Afghanistan to the limit in recent encounters, proving they can compete with Test-playing nations.
However, it is evident to all that the batting order relies heavily on just a couple of batsman, including the dangerous opening batsman Waseem. His early wicket has derailed the UAE many times, and hence Sharafu, who also prefers to open, has been chosen for the No.4 position to introduce solidity in the middle overs.
In the DP World International League T20 franchise tournament in the same format, Sharafu did well in the position for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, registering three half-centuries despite jostling within a star-studded lineup.
"We have had good starts in the powerplay both with the bat and the ball," Sharafu observed about his national team colleagues. "If we could focus a little bit more on consolidating in the middle overs and finishing games better, that will help the team. You don't want to peak too early; come the 10th is when we want to be playing almost our best cricket."
The team faces a formidable challenge in Group D, featuring South Africa, New Zealand, and Afghanistan. Despite the daunting draw, Sharafu views the platform as a chance for the younger players to excel.
"It is going to be challenging playing against really good sides, but it is as much as an opportunity as much as a challenge. On the day, you never know; it is T20 cricket and a couple of good performances could help us on the winning side."
As the squad settles into their Chennai quarters, the focus remains on bridging the gap between competitive spells and match-winning finishes. With just less than 10 days of final preparation ahead of them on Indian soil, the UAE intends to refine their death-over bowling and middle-order rotation to ensure their youthful exuberance is matched by tactical discipline.
