It has been close to two decades since the United Arab Emirates (UAE) played in a World Cup. The 1996 edition was its last appearance where it managed a solitary win over The Netherlands.
The present team is made up of a bunch of amateur cricketers and has two 40-somethings at the helm – Mohammad Tauqir the captain and Khurram Khan his deputy. The latter in particular is an interesting character. He works for Emirates Airlines and manages the odd cricket match in his spare time.
For more than a decade, he has been the country’s most outstanding cricketer and as captain played a stellar role in getting his team through to the World Cup. Yet, the UAE selectors replaced him as captain with Mohammad Tauqir, in what they described as a chance for Tauqir to “showcase Emirati leadership.” Khurram is an expatriate from Pakistan.
ADVERTISEMENT
Still, much of the team’s chances will depend on Khurram. Going into the World Cup, the 43-year-old has been in excellent form. He scored more than 1000 runs in limited overs cricket in 2014. But he will also seek assistance from wicketkeeper-batsman Swapnil Patil, who was his team’s second-highest scorer at the World Cup Qualifier.
Ever since Aaqib Javed took over in 2012, the team has steadily risen, with his partnership with Khurram working well. It even qualified for the World T20 last year for the first time ever.
So, how the change in the top leadership will affect the chances is yet to be seen but Javed believes that the team can deliver on the goal of two wins at the World Cup.
ADVERTISEMENT
But grouped as it is with India, South Africa, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, West Indies and Ireland, it looks highly unlikely.
Squad list
Mohammad Tauqir (Capt) Style: Right hand bat Age: 43 Matches: 5 Runs: 87 Average: 21.75 Wickets: 4 Average: 38 Win-loss: 0-0 | |
Khurram Khan Style: Left hand bat Age: 43 Matches: 10 Runs: 427 Average: 53.37 Wickets: 12 Average: 31.66 | |
Amjad Ali Style: Left hand bat, wicketkeeper Age: 35 Matches: 9 Runs: 392 Average: 43.55 Catches: 8 Stumpings: 1 | |
Amjad Javed Style: Right hand bat Age: 34 Matches: 3 Runs: 11 Average: 5.50 Wickets: 2 Average: 62.50 | |
Andri Raffaelo Berenger Style: Right hand bat Age: 23 Matches: 4 Runs: 152 Average: 38 Wickets: 0 Average: NA | |
Fahad Alhashmi Style: Right arm fast medium Age: 32 Matches: 4 Runs: 0 Average: NA Wickets: 6 Average: 26.16 | |
Manjula Guruge Style: Left arm fast medium Age: 33 Matches: 3 Runs: 2 Average: NA Wickets: 5 Average: 40.20 | |
Kamran Shazad Style: Right arm medium fast Age: 34 Matches: 3 Runs: 22 Average: 22 Wickets: 6 Average: 25 | |
Krishna Chandran Style: Right hand bat Age: 30 Matches: 6 Runs: 81 Average: 40.50 Wickets: 6 Average: 34.33 | |
Mohammad Naveed Style: Right hand bat Age: 27 Matches: 6 Runs: 52 Average: 26 Wickets: 5 Average: 58.40 | |
Nasir Aziz Style: Right arm off break Age: 28 Matches: 1 Runs: 0 Average: NA Wickets: 1 Average: 50 | |
Swapnil Patil Style: Right hand bat / wicketkeeper Age: 29 Matches: 5 Runs: 107 Average: 35.66 Catches: 4 Stumpings: 1 | |
Rohan Mustafa Style: Left hand bat Age: 26 Matches: 3 Runs: 51 Average: 17 Wickets: 5 Average: 17.60 | |
Saqlain Haider Style: Left hand bat Age: 27 Matches: 2 Runs: 28 Average: 28 Catches: 0 Stumpings: 1 | |
Shaiman Anwar Style: Right hand bat Age: 35 Matches: 7 Runs: 129 Average: 21.50 Wickets: 0 Average: NA |
Coach: Former Pakistan speedster Aaqib Javed was appointed head coach of UAE in March 2012. Under Javed, the country qualified for the World Twenty20 last March for the first time ever before making the cut for the 2015 World Cup which will be its second appearance ever.
STARWATCH: Khurram Khan: Two months ago, at 43 years and 162 days, Khurram Khan became the oldest player to notch up an ODI century when he scored an unbeaten 132 against Afghanistan. It was also the series where he, as captain, led his team to victory over Afghanistan for its first ODI series win.
Before that he was the leading scorer at the World Cup qualifiers in New Zealand with 581 runs. Now, even as he has been replaced as captain just ahead of the tournament, his worth cannot be understated.
PREDICTION: Contenders for last place.
FIXTURES:
February 19 vs. Zimbabwe, Nelson
February 25 vs. Ireland, Brisbane
February 28 vs. India, Perth
March 4 vs. Pakistan, Napier
March 12 vs. South Africa, Wellington
March 15 vs. West Indies, Napier
BEST PERFORMANCE: One victory in 1996 over Netherlands.