Dubai: The UAE‘s triumph over Zimbabwe in the ICC Super Sixes World Cup Qualifiers in Harare on Thursday is a remarkable feat. To beat Zimbabwe, who are a Test-playing nation, on their home ground has boosted the confidence of the UAE team players.
Although their performance in the Super Sixes stage wasn’t impressive, this victory has given them the boost that is needed for their future challenges. The UAE have retained their One-day status are now looking for more exposure.
UAE’s skipper Rohan Mustafa, who sparkled in the match against Zimbabwe through his all-round performance, scoring 31 runs and taking two vital wickets, feels that the win over Zimbabwe shows that with hard work more such victories are possible.
Speaking from Harare to Gulf News, Mustafa said: “It’s a great feeling to beat a Test playing nation for the first time. It has proved that if we can work harder and believe in ourselves we can beat any team.”
Though UAE emerged as the champions of the ICC World Cricket League Division Two in Windhoek, they put up a poor show in the Super Sixes losing their four matches and recording the only win over Zimbabwe. Mustafa feels that his players have to work harder to produce consistent performance. “To be honest the players have to work hard to rectify their mistakes. I also feel that they need to focus more on improving their fitness.”
Mustafa has led from the front through consistent performances. In fact, his transformation from a mere domestic cricketer to one among the best players from the associate countries, has been through sheer hard work on his game and fitness. “Players need to understand that to better oneself it is not sufficient to work hard during practice alone but after those sessions too. They have to take care of themselves especially on what they eat and drink.”
When asked how did he bring about the change in himself, Mustafa said: “I am honest with cricket. Even if I am not feeling well, I go for practice because every day you can learn something new.” Mustafa produced spells of 4 for 36 against Scotland, 5 for 26 against Netherlands, scored 95 against Papua New Guinea and even hit a 51 in the World Cricket League Division Two final in Windhoek.
“One must observe international cricketers like Virat Kohli who have improved so much through hard work. I promise myself every time that I will try and improve more,” said Mustafa, who is impressed with the rise of Zimbabwe’s all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who also hails from Pakistan like him.
“I am very impressed with my friend Raza who is doing so well. He is a hard worker and has improved day by day,” said Mustafa, who took the wicket of Raza, who threatened to steer Zimbabwe to victory through a quick 34 runs.
“There are many good under-19 boys in UAE like Rahul Bhatia and Fahad Nawaz who are working very hard. My message to all cricketers is not to cheat oneself but keep working hard with earnestness,” said Mustafa who is gearing up for his next mission.
“Our next tournament is the Asia region T20 World Cup qualifier in Kuwait and we will correct the mistakes from our recent tournaments and get stronger for bigger challenges,” said Mustafa.
