Dubai A team dinner is often called the best way of bonding in sport - it’s precisely what the World Cup-bound UAE cricket team did on Sunday evening. The team captained by Mohammad Tauqir with Khurram Khan as vice-captain was in a jovial mood with everyone excited about playing in the biggest tournament of the game.
Speaking to Gulf News, Tauqir who sat the head of the dinning table at the Charcoal Delight Restaurant near Mamzar Beach, said: “We are flying out on January 29 and it is a long tour. We will miss sub-continent food during the period and hence decided to have a dinner made up of dishes like kabab, biryani and healthy grilled dishes catering to our taste. We have been working hard for the World Cup and thought a relaxing dinner will be ideal. We decided to eat to the brim because during the World Cup, we have to be very conscious about diet to maintain our fitness.”
Commenting on the training sessions for the event, Tauqir said: “Our practice sessions have gone off very well and everyone is fit and keen to give their best. We are all set to realise our dream of playing in the World Cup.”
UAE’s star player Khurram Khan, who was instrumental in their qualifying for the World Cup through his sterling performances, said: “Our camp for the World Cup has gone off well and is nearing to a close and we felt that a get-together dinner would be apt. We have enjoyed our hard work so far and look forward to put a good show in the World Cup.”
Mazhar Khan, the Administrator of Emirates Cricket Board, manager of the team, said: “Every day the boys have been working hard in the evening and we thought after the session one day we should have dinner together in a restaurant catering to their tastes. It is such dinner meetings that create bonding.”
All the players are excited and talked about the improvement that they have achieved in the build up to the World Cup. UAE’s opening batsman Amjad Ali said: “The practice sessions have strengthened my confidence. The guidance from coaches Aaqib Javed and Mudassar Nazar have helped me a lot. As the wickets in Australia and New Zealand will be bouncy I have sharpened by cut and pull shots.”
UAE’s hard-hitting batsman, Shaimon Anwar - known for his six-hitting abilities - said: “I am enjoying this dinner and I am eating well to hit more powerful shots. It is my dream to show my skills on the big stage and hope to perform well in the World Cup.”
Medium pacer Kamran Shahzad believes that his hard work will be rewarded while all-rounder Krishna Karate feels that the last five months of preparation has lifted his game to a new level. UAE’s middle order batsman Swapnil Patil said that he is more focused than before while wicketkeeper Saqlain Haider is delighted with his improvement in his batting as well as wicket-keeping. Rohan Mustafa said he wants to prove himself as a good all-rounder in the World Cup.
