UAE cricketers to face red-ball challenge in two-day tournament

For UAE cricketers accustomed to the high-paced thrills of T20 and T10 cricket, a fresh test awaits. Instead of quick-fire innings and short spells, they will now be asked to dig in, build patience, and push their endurance to the limit in a new two-day red-ball tournament.

Just as the DP World ILT20 heads toward a thrilling finish, the UAE squad is shifting focus to a different challenge — one that could define their future in 50-over cricket. Set to take place in Sharjah this month, the tournament will see select players swap their coloured kits for traditional whites and take on the red cherry.

The DP World ILT20 has been a game-changer for UAE players, offering 24 home-grown cricketers the chance to compete alongside some of the best in the world. This exposure has strengthened the team’s T20 capabilities. However, their struggles in the 50-over format persist, with UAE sitting at the bottom of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 Qualifiers’ table.

Recognising that ODIs demand different skill sets, fitness levels, and a longer concentration span, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and head coach Lalchand Rajput have taken proactive steps to address the gap. A select group of over 40 players recently underwent the YoYo Intermittent Endurance Test — an assessment of an athlete’s ability to sustain high-intensity exercise over time.

Taking this initiative further, the ECB has scheduled a three-team, two-day tournament featuring around 50 players in a round-robin format at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

“To improve UAE cricket, we are introducing red ball cricket and white dress. We are preparing for the 50-over World Cup qualifiers in the Netherlands in late April and early May. This is a crucial time to prepare because conditions in the Netherlands and Scotland favour seam movement. We are using SG Test balls for this tournament as they offer significant seam movement,” Rajput, the former India opener, told Gulf News.

“The key is for batsmen to learn how to play long innings, which is crucial, while bowlers will learn to bowl long spells. If you can bowl 20 overs in a day, it builds endurance and teaches you how to use the old ball, including getting reverse swing,” he added.

Each innings will consist of 90 overs, with a second new ball available after 70 overs. If both teams are bowled out in the first innings, a second innings may be played. However, the primary focus is on playing out the full 90 overs.

The three UAE teams will compete among themselves to maintain a high level of intensity. From these matches, a list of 25 probables will be selected to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers.

“This tournament will help in building their stamina. Our bowlers are used to bowling only four overs upfront, two in the middle, and four at the backend of 50-over matches. Here, they will have to bowl 20 overs in a day after being on the field for over five hours. It will be a huge test of their stamina, endurance, and, more importantly, their mental strength,” Rajput explained.

In January, Rajput conducted a two-week fitness camp after the Gulf Cup, inviting over 40 players. The YoYo benchmark was set at 17.2, with six players exceeding it by achieving 18.2. However, most participants ranged between 15.5 and 16.5.

“While we had a great year in T20, our performance in 50-over contests doesn’t match our success. The main issue is fitness,” Rajput said.

The YoYo Intermittent Endurance Test (YYIE) involves running between two markers 20 meters apart at increasing speeds, with brief recovery intervals. This test is critical for sports requiring repeated bursts of effort.

“In UAE, most players are accustomed to T20 and T10 formats, where you bowl two or four overs and bat for 6-10 overs. However, ODIs demand greater endurance. A fast bowler must bowl 10 overs at different phases of the match, batters need to run hard for 20-30 overs, and fielders must stay sharp for the full 50 overs. We are lacking in this aspect, which is why I’m focusing on fitness before the next round of qualifiers,” he said.

With a growing pool of young, home-grown talent, UAE cricket is ready to take the next step. By shifting focus to the 50-over format, the team aims to compete at a higher level in white-ball cricket.