Abu Dhabi: Two UAE players Chirag Suri and Ahmad Raza got an opportunity to don the New Zealand colours and share their dressing rooms during the final match of the ODI series against Pakistan at the Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on Friday.
New Zealand were battling to put together a full squad for the crunch game and it proved to be a blessing in disguise for both these players as they were included in the team as substitute fielders. Suri was on the field for almost 20 odd overs after Anton Devcich hurt his shoulder going for the catch off Umar Akmal, while Raza also took the field for a couple of overs at the start.
Suri was a given a warm welcome on to the ground by the crowd and the youngster did have some initial jitters when the first ball rolled towards him. He fumbled but quickly got his act together.
“Yes, I was a bit nervous as I was not used to playing in front of such a huge crowd. It was good to see people cheering. It means people are following UAE’s progress. I was really thrilled,” said Suri, who revealed that it was UAE coach Aaqib Javed who broke the news to them two days before the match that they will be in the reserves for the Kiwis.
Suri felt there was a lot to learn the way the New Zealanders went about their business. “Sharing the dressing room with them was special and even training with them in the presence of Craig McCullum and Shane Bond.”
The youngster was touched when the skipper Kane Williamson also called them to join the huddle after they won the match.
“Williamson is such a cool, composed guy and he made us feel that we were a part of the team. He asked us to come into the huddle and there were some happy moments in the dressing room after the victory that I will remember for life,” said Suri, who is in the UAE probables for the forthcoming World Cup.
Raza also hailed the opportunity, saying, “It was great to be in the camp with some of the top players and it was great to get some vital tips on the game. It is something that I will cherish forever.”
