IPL-inspired UAE team head for Malaysia for ACC Premier League

Abu Dhabi: The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) here has been a big boost for the UAE coach Aaqib Javed and his team ahead of the ACC Premier League starting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from May 1.

Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Nepal and Oman are the other teams taking part in the tournament and the UAE side has been undergoing rigorous training session at the ICC Cricket Academy alongside some the IPL teams.

“It was a huge learning curve for the boys practising with the IPL teams with some big names in there. Where will you get such an opportunity to meet the stars and rub shoulders with them,” Javed said, adding: “The boys were all excited and made the most of the opportunity. There was a lot to learn for them from the way these teams trained.”

Javed also went on to reveal that at times the training schedule even clashed with the other teams, but they were considerate in giving the national side the first priority.

“We managed to train together with several teams, at times, like with Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians. We played practice matches with them as well. I’m sure it will be of great help to the boys,” said Javed, whose side will play their first match on May 2 against Afghanistan at Kinara.

The players also had interactive sessions with spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan, John Wright and Daniel Vettori. “Speaking to these legends of the game can inspire anyone and I’m sure this will help the boys to do well in the upcoming tournament. There are six teams in the tournament and we would like to qualify for the next stage which will be a two-day affair. This tournament will give the boys a feel of the longer version of the game. So, we are keen to do well,” said Javed, who will be leaving for the tournament with his side on Monday.

The UAE captain Khurram Khan also hailed the opportunity IPL offered to his boys. “IPL certainly is a huge shot in the arm for cricket here and it will inspire more youth to take up the sport. Being amongst the likes of some of the cricketing greats is something that we all dream of and it would have done a world of good for them,” Khan said.