UAE confident ahead of Namibia game today

Sharjah: The UAE cricket team will take on Namibia in the four-day International Cricket Council (ICC) Inter Continental Cup at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium today.

Speaking to Gulf News after a practice session, Saqib Ali, the skipper of the UAE team, said: "We will play good cricket and try and produce a good result."

UAE had beaten Bermuda in November at the Shaikh Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi and has 17 points from their three games in this tournament.

"Beating a strong Bermuda team has given us the confidence to beat other teams too. It was our first victory in a four-day tournament," said Ali, who has played some superb knocks in this tournament.

Bermuda had arrived in Abu Dhabi rich in experience after having participated in the 2007 World Cup. UAE beat Bermuda by 138 runs despite trailing by 168 runs in the first innings.

Bad weather

Talking about his team, Ali said: "We have a good all round team. For the last few months our team has combined very well."

The heavy rains in the UAE during last week affected the home's team preparation. "It is always difficult for us to get time for practice as most of us are employed. The weather upset our plans for some intense practice sessions," said Ali.

Former Pakistan Test star Kabir Khan is the coach of the UAE team.

Teams: UAE: Saqib Ali (captain), Arshad Ali, Khurram Khan, Mohammad Iqbal, Amjad Javed, Alawi Shukri, Zahid Shah, Waseem Bari, Rashid Khan, Owais Hameed, Gayan Silva, Fahad al Hashimi, Amjad Ali, Ahmad Raza.

Reserves: Arjun Lama, Salman Farooq, Shoaib Sarwar. Coach: Kabir Khan, Physio: C. Sudhakar.

Namibia: Louis Burger (captain), Louis van der Westhuizen, Kola Burger, Michael du Rand, Raymond van Schoor, Tobias Verwey, Wilber Slabber, Andries Burger, Dawid Botha, Gerrie Snyman, Ian van Zyl, Bjorn Kotze.

• Umpires: Darrell Hair and Neils Bagh.
• Match starts: 9.30am.