Dubai: For Shaiman Anwar, the hard-hitting UAE batsman, country comes first. The Pakistan-born cricketer could have been the first from the UAE to play in one of the premier franchise-based Twenty20 leagues, but Anwar has kept an offer from the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on hold because of his national commitments.
Speaking to Gulf News, Anwar said: “I have been approached to play in the Bangladesh Premier League, but I have told them about my commitments for UAE team. For me, UAE team comes first as this is the country that gave me the chance to play international cricket.”
Anwar is now gearing up to play in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Inter-Continental Cup against Scotland.
Anwar caught international attention when he became the first batsman to crack a century for UAE in the 2015 World Cup. He hit 106 runs against Ireland at Brisbane and followed it up with a 35 against India and 65 against Pakistan – ranking among the top five run-getters in the opening weeks of the showpiece.
“I have informed them that I am willing to play in the BPL if there are no matches or training camps for UAE. Today everyone has noticed me because I was selected by UAE and they gave me the chance to play international cricket,” added Anwar.
Anwar caught the attention of Bangladesh Premier League franchises following his two fighting knocks against India and Pakistan in February this year in Dhaka during the Asia Cup Twenty20 match. He scored 46 against Pakistan and 43 against India before being run out by Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Last week, Anwar hit an unbeaten 99 to guide Danube Lions to a six-wicket victory over New Medical Centre in the 42nd Bukhatir League at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
“I am happy that due to my regular training and opportunities, I am able to score runs. In the Abu Dhabi 50-overs tournament, I scored 100 against Multiplex. Yesterday evening, I hit an unbeaten 48 for Danube against Interface in the Bukhatir league. I have been told that the UAE team training camp will be starting soon and I have to be available.”
Anwar has been instrumental in Danube’s winning spree, with the team registering their third successive victory in the Bukhatir League. Danube bowler Amir Hayat produced a five-wicket haul to sink Sky Bridge Freight Solutions by eight wickets.
Anwar could have followed up his century in Abu Dhabi with another one in Sharjah. “We were chasing NMC’s total of 193 and I hit a boundary as the winning shot to remain one run short of the century,” said Anwar, whose 99 came off 89 deliveries with 13 boundaries and two sixes.
