Dubai: Former UAE captain Saqib Ali, who had lifted the team to many memorable moments in international cricket, is set to leave the country a disappointed man.
Speaking to Gulf News, Saqib, once the mainstay of UAE batting, said: “I wanted to give back something to the game and the team after I retired. The Emirates Cricket Board promised me many things but nothing happened, so I have decided to return to Pakistan.”
Saqib was such a prolific scorer in international matches that he was named in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup Team of the Year in 2008. He emerged as the highest run-getter during the tournament, scoring 690 runs in seven matches. In 2012, Saqib was picked in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Combined Associate and Affiliate eleven for their three-day warm-up match against England.
“I captained UAE for two years and performed consistently to bring many victories. I was told that I will be one of the UAE selectors but that did not happen. They wanted me to help the team as batting coach but nothing materialised,” said Saqib, who came to UAE after playing in two Test matches and one One Day International for the Pakistan Under-19 team besides scoring heavily on Pakistan’s domestic circuit.
“New Medical Centre (NMC) gave me a job in 1997 and have played for them ever since. Thanks to the owner B.R. Shetty who encouraged me and allowed me to play cricket that I could do well in international and domestic tournaments,” said Saqib, who won the prestigious Shyam Bhatia award for outstanding cricketer of the year thrice.
After making his debut for UAE in 2006 EurAsia Cricket Series, Saqib scored his maiden first class century against Scotland in Sharjah in 2007. The same year, he was appointed captain against Bermuda and, in his first match as skipper, he cracked 142.
Saqib was also instrumental in the UAE posting their highest total in international cricket when they piled up 510 for five in 50 overs in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Elite Trophy through his unbeaten knock of 141. He even scored 195 against Ireland in 2008.
Despite such impressive performances, Saqib could not achieve his dream of playing in a World Cup. “It was a shattering blow for me. I was with the team for eight months preparing hard but, three days before the 2015 World Cup tour, I was dropped.”
Saqib was selected again for UAE after the World Cup and he scored 27 and 51 against Ireland in the Intercontinental Cup. He announced his retirement in August 2015. “I was coaching the UAE batsmen for ACC Trophy when I was selected to play in the Masters Champions League (MCL) but, after I came back, they did not consider me again for the job,” said Saqib, who played for Gemini Arabians and hit an unbeaten 46 along with Kumar Sangakkara (51) against Virgo Super Kings.
“I am 38 now but even this month I scored two centuries, 131 and 101 for NMC in Abu Dhabi A division tournament. I leave the UAE on Thursday. I have two sons and two daughters and hope to start some business in Pakistan and earn a living,” said Saqib.
