Under-19 World Cup : It’s serious business for UAE in Malaysia

Dubai Despite having already qualified for the Under-19 World Cup as the host nation, the UAE team are not taking anything lightly and are determined to finish on a high as they head to Malaysia for the Asian Cricket Council Elite 2013 tournament, a qualifier for the 2014 Under-19 World Cup which begins from May 3 to 11.

“We know we have already qualified but we are not going with that mindset and we will put our best show and try to finish on the top. It’s a separate tournament for us and a different challenge,” skipper Rohit Singh Jamwal told XPRESS.

A total of 10 teams will be participating and UAE are placed in Group A along side Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Saudi Arabia. Group B has Nepal, Qatar, Bahrain Malaysia and Kuwait.

The winner of the team progresses for the under-19 World Cup which will be held in the UAE in February next year. If UAE wins the tournament then the other finalists will qualify.

“The team has really worked hard for this. We still are not thinking for the big event next year but our immediate focus is on winning this tournament. All the boys are raring to go and put their best performance,” said Jamwal, a student of the Herriot Watt University, Dubai.

It’s a tough first match for UAE as they open their campaign against Afghanistan on May 4. They next play Hong Kong the following day before playing Thailand on May 7. They end their group stage when they take on Saudi Arabia on May 8.

The top two teams from each group make it to the semifinals on May 10 with the final being held on May 11.

“We really don’t know the composition of Afghanistan but we know for sure they will field a strong team. But we have made our plans and have our strategies in place,” the 19-year-old said.

“The team has a good mix of everything and we have some talented players who are match winners despite having missed out on a few players who could not make it due to their academics,” he added.

Jamwal said the team has benefitted hugely from the training sessions conducted by coach Aaqib Javed.

“He has been a great coach. He develops the team in a different way and he takes it to a different level. He has been the Pakistan bowling coach he brings in his rich experience here which really turned things around for our team,” Jamwal said.

Mazhar Khan, Administrator of Emirates Cricket Board, said: "It's a big privilege for us to host the Under-19 World Cup. But our boys will travel to Malaysia with a target to finish winners. They are determined to do well there and we wish them all the luck.”

Team: Rohit Singh Jamwal (Captain), Saurabhkant Sunilkant Gir, Zamin Jaleel, Mohammad Hamid, Dan Savio D Souza, Simon Charles, Jay Pankesh Joshi, Justin Thomas James, Shorey Chopra, Sunair Sajid Khan, Tahir Sultan, Adnan Kamil Khan, Mohammad Umer Rizwan, Pankaj Prakash Samant. Coach: Aaqib Javed. Physio: Chitrala Sudhaker. Manager: Shanawaz.