Adelaide: Before the 15-member squad representing the UAE flew out for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 qualifiers to New Zealand early last year, no one really gave them a chance to qualify for the biggest event in world cricket.
The last time they got to play in the World Cup was way back in 1996 and hence, no one gave this team made up of a bunch of amateurs any chance. Only one man believed that they could do it: coach and former Pakistan Test star Aaqib Javed.
First and foremost, he instilled in the amateurs a dream of playing in the World Cup. He appealed to them to work hard to realise their dream and everyone worked towards his goal with determination. He was also lucky to get a captain who could lead from the front like a role model in 43-year-old Khurram Khan. He showed that with determination, one can defy age and with fitness, one can be as good as a professional cricketer.
Despite most of the players working from 9am to 5pm to earn a living, the UAE team made sure to assemble for Javed’s coaching. Everyone competed against the other to prove they are the best and want to play in the World Cup.
Most of the players were in their thirties or late twenties and had started to believe that their prime time is over. All of them had come to UAE after displaying their skills in their country of birth but had started to believe that their prime time in cricket had ended. Javed imbibed in them the importance of fitness and made them toil for hours strengthening themselves. The rest was history and they qualified for the World Cup as the only team made up of amateurs.
Finding a winning combination was Javed’s next challenge. It was the toughest task too as he had to take into consideration many factors like accomplished players being able to get time after office work to come for training every day and also willing to travel.
It is here that some of the team owners played a big role. As most of the players are employed, the team owners who are mostly passionate lovers of the game permitted their players to take leave from work for practice and matches. Some of the banks and airlines were also sporting in granting leave to their players.
Javed had also launched a mission of spotting talent by visiting many academies in the UAE and also watching many tournaments travelling to the stadiums. The result was he found many a hidden talent not only for UAE World Cup team but also for Under-19 team, who went on to qualify for Under-19 World Cup too.
Amjad Ali, a 35 year old left-hand batsman, who was scoring heavily in domestic cricket, was made the opener and a 23-year old Andri Berenger who had played for Sri Lanka in Under-19 World Cup became his partner. This left-right combination proved to be very good as the pair could give many good starts.
Krishna Chandra - a promising allrounder from Kerala - who had been scoring heavily in little known tournaments in Umm Al Quwain initially, was also picked. Khurram adds stability to the middle order scoring consistently while also chipping in with his slow left arm spin. Swapnil Patil, who scored heavily in Mumbai, is another consistent batsman.
Shaiman Anwar, known as ‘Sixer Shaiman’ for his hard-hitting abilities helps UAE accelerate the run rate. They are followed by Saqlain Haider, an agile wicketkeeper. With allrounders Rohan Mustafa, Amjad Javed and World Cup team Mohammad Tauqir too following, the UAE have the right team to challenge even professional cricketers.
For the UAE cricketers, it was a dream to play in the World Cup while for Javed, it was a dream run ever since he took charge of the team. With the desire and determination of these players and a livewire coach, the UAE may ruffle a few feathers in the World Cup.
