UAE name team for Asia Cup

Three talented teenagers bagged a place for themselves in the UAE cricket squad for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka from July 15.

Seventeen-year-old Syed Fawad Mohammed of the Westminster school, who hogged the limelight with his allround performance in the inter school cricket tournaments, has been picked along with teenagers Ramveer Rai and Abdul Rehman.

Fawad, a hard hitting batsmen and a left-arm medium pacer had won the Al Rawabi interschool tournament scholarship of Dhs 5,000 for his outstanding performance this season.

The 14-member squad also has two cricketers below the age of 17: Ramveer Rai, a member of the UAE team which won the ACC Trophy last week and Abdul Rehman, a wicketkeeper-batsman.

"We decided to pick these youngsters with an eye towards the future. It is a bold step by us," remarked UAE chief selector Abdul Razzaq Kazim to the Gulf News yesterday.

All-rounder Ahmed Nadeem and wicketkeeper Muhammed Nadeem have been rested. "We decided to rest senior players like Ahmed and Muhammed to ensure that they are fit for the forthcoming International Cricket Council's three-day matches," said Kazim.

"We have a balanced team now. Some of the senior players have been rested to ensure they improve their fitness. All the senior players should not wait till the senior team camp to begin in order to work on their fitness. We have a hectic season ahead of us."

Khuram Khan, who had led the UAE to a second straight ACC Trophy triumph, will lead the squad. Mohammed Tauqir is his deputy.

Arshad Ali and Asim Saeed are likely to open the innings for the UAE following their splendid show in the ACC trophy.

Asghar Ali Khan, Fahad Usman, Khuram Khan and allrounder Syed Maqsood will provide the strength for the middle order.

They are likely to be followed by Naeemudin, who played a fine knock in the ACC Trophy final, and Tauqir. For Ramveer Rai and Sameer Zia the Asia Cup is likely to be a learning experience.

The bowling attack will be headed by Ali Asad, who won the man of the match in the ACC Trophy final. He will be backed by medium pacers Asim Saeed and Syed Maqsood.

The UAE's spin attack looks strong with off spinner Tauqir having bagged 14 wickets in the ACC Trophy. Left-arm spinners Rizwan Latif and Khuram Khan may also be able to check the run flow.

Two school boys have been also been picked among the standbyes, they are Ryan Chadha, the skipper of the Modern High School and Shehan Dharmasena of St Mary's School. "We are the only team that fielded youngsters for the ACC Trophy. We want to continue this trend in the Asia Cup as well," said Kazim, who is also the manager of the team.

The squad: Khuram Khan (capt), Mohammed Tauqir (vice captain), Ali Asad Abbas, Arshad Ali, Asghar Ali, Asim Saeed, Fahad Usman, Naeemudin, Ramveer Rai, Rizwan Latif, Sameer Zia, Syed Maqsood, Syed Fawad Mohammed and Abdul Rehman. Standbyes: Ryan Chadha, Shehan Dharmasena, Zahid Shah and Aosaf Ali.