DUBAI Krishnachandran Karate earned himself a unique distinction after being named in the UAE senior team which left for the Asian Cricket Council Premier League being held in Malaysia from May 1 to 7. The 29-year-old has become the first player from the Indian state of Kerala to be a part of the UAE team, a significant achievement considering the Malayalee expat popuation in the region.
“I was told that I became the first Keralite to be part of the UAE team. I have received a number of congratulatory messages and calls from many in the community since I have been included,” Karate told XPRESS.
first tour
The top six associate teams compete in the 50-overs-a-side tournament with the UAE opening their campaign against Nepal on May 1. They next take on Afghanistan on May 2 followed by a match against Hong Kong on May 4. They meet Malaysia on May 5 and play their last match against Oman on May 7.
“This is my first overseas tour. I am really excited and I’m happy that all my hard work has finally paid off,” he said.
The 29-year-old has been scoring heavily in the domestic circuit and qualified for selection via the four-year quota. A middle-order bat and a medium pace bowler, the allrounder from Phalghat in Kerala emerged the best player in the 2012-13 Umm Al Quwain tournaments.
Karate has also received laurels for his performances in the Kerala Premier League and the Kerala Cricket League that have been running in the UAE from big names in the UAE and international cricketing circuits.
“It’s been an interesting journey so far since I moved to the UAE in 2010. I got a job only because of my cricketing background and once I came here I started nurturing plans of playing for the UAE. So I’m happy it’s finally come true,” he said.
Karate has represented Kerala in the junior level and was also part of the senior team in the 50-over and 20-over tournaments.
During his college days in Bangalore, he played in the Indian university tournaments for Mahaveer Jain College, where former India cricketer Robin Uthappa and Indian swimming sensation Shikha Tandon also studied.
“I played some top level cricket but things were not moving for me after a while. Besides, family commitments were adding up, so it was frustrating.
“So when I got an offer in the UAE I readily grabbed it. Initially there was not much of cricket for me but once I changed my job to DB Schenker, I got my chances and also played for Fanatics Cricket Club.
“As I performed well, I was able to attract the attention of the selectors and I’m thankful they thought I was good enough to be part of the senior team,” he added.
Karate hopes he will be able to deliver at the ongoing tournament as he dreams of making it to the World Cup squad next year. “I’m really working hard and want to make the best use of the opportunity. My biggest dream is to be part of the World Cup squad and I hope to stake claim with my performances,” he said.
The all-rounder has been training with the squad for a few weeks and finds coach Aaqib Javed an inspiration. “He is a great player and adds value to the team. Everyone knows what he has done since he took over as the coach. UAE qualified for the World Cups and attained ODI status. He is very fit and a true inspiration,” Karate said.
Karate also had a few words of praise for his skipper Khurram Khan. “He is doing so much for the team at this age. I only hope I can stay fit like him and play as well as he does when I’m his age,” he added.
