DUBAI As the UAE team embark on their first journey after the ICC World Cup to participate in their first round of Intercontinental Cup in Ireland, UAE skipper Mohammad Tauqir feels there is a strong need to induce the longer format in the domestic circuit to develop cricketers in the UAE.
“At the domestic level we have quantity but not much quality. We focus a lot on shorter versions due to lots of constraints. But we need to work on adopting a longer version that can help youngsters develop into fine cricketers,” Tauqir told XPRESS.
“I’m sure the authorities concerned are working on it and hopefully we should be seeing more tournaments stressing a longer format very soon,” he added.
Mindset
The UAE will be playing their four-day match against Ireland from June 2 to 5 but will take on Scotland in a three-day warm up game in Hampshire on May 26-28 to get acclimatised to the conditions.
The tournament gains significance since the winners will get to face the lowest-ranked full-member nation in the 2018 Test Challenge.
“We have just returned from the World Cup so we need to completely change our mindset when we play in the I-Cup. We need to show a lot of patience playing this format and we are working on it. We have been training rigorously seven days a week and two sessions on Fridays and Saturdays.
“Aaqib has been working closely with the team and the boys are aware of their responsibilities and the importance of this tournament. On the fitness aspect our support staff has done a tremendous job,” the skipper said.
Thanking the selectors and the Emirates Cricket Board for keeping faith in him, Tauqir, who came in as the captain just before the World Cup, said: “We have a well balanced team with a perfect mix of youngsters and seniors. The only thing for now is the conditions are alien to us and Ireland is a very good team. But that should not affect our boys in any way and we should be starting off the season with a bang.”
