In Focus: International cricketer Naeemuddin Aslam

 Dubai : There are people who adore cricket and there are some envied blokes like UAE international Naeemuddin Aslam, whose life virtually revolves around the sport.

After four and a half years of working in a bank, Dubai-born Aslam who is of Indian origin, was presented with an opportunity to join the ICC Global Cricket Academy (ICC GCA) based at Dubai Sports City. To the 28-year-old batsman, it was basically a no-brainer. It now means when he's not away on national team duty or fulfilling domestic cricket commitments, Aslam's full-time job as ICC GCA programme coordinator ensures cricket continues to be the centre of his life.

"I thought it would be a difficult change after four and a half years of working in a bank, but I'm loving it," says Aslam.

The man who famously ran out Indian master blaster Virender Sehwag on his one-day-international debut for UAE in 2004, says his new occupation primarily involves playing host to anyone keen on hiring the state of the art facility. "It's open to anyone from a local team to English counties, Australian or South African provincial sides and even national cricket associations," he says. "Whoever it may be, we need to ensure they enjoy themselves."

But Aslam clearly can't get enough of cricket. He even takes advantage of his new base to assist ICC GCA elite coaches Rod Marsh, Mudassar Nazar and Dayle Hadlee in coaching youngsters at the academy, voluntarily of course. "It reminds me of my own time as a kid and we didn't have facilities like this at that time," he says. "And to be working with coaches like Rod Marsh, Mudassar Nazar and Dayle Hadlee, it's a huge honour and a total high."

Feeling at home

Aslam has played two one-day internationals and eight first class games for a UAE team mainly dominated by expatriates. But tell him he is one at your own peril. "India may be my homeland but I was born and brought up here," he says proudly. "I may not hold a UAE passport but it's more or less home for me. The UAE has given me an opportunity to be an international cricketer, whereas there are so many talented cricketers in India who still haven't played an international game. I really feel hurt when anyone tells me that I'm an expat playing for UAE because my case is different with respect to some of the other guys. It means the world to me."

With the UAE set to contest the ICC Intercontinental Shield final against Namibia at the Global Cricket Academy, Aslam hopes to be part of the special occasion. "How many guys can say they work at the ICC GCA? I'm there day in day out and it would be amazing if I could represent the UAE in the final," he says.

 MEMORABLE MOMENT

Aslam recalls his most memorable moment on the field. "Running Virender Sehwag out for zero was really memorable for me. It was my ODI debut for the UAE against India, my homeland, in the 2004 Asia Cup. It was so special because Sehwag was in devastating form going into that match. He had just scored plenty of runs on the tour to Pakistan including that knock of] 309."