Medium-pacer Mohammed Shanil, Zahoor Ahmed and batsman Adnan Mufti have been included in the 15-man party for the January 14-20 competition, having impressed for the national team. Last month, in his only appearance, Mufti, 32, struck a superb half-century, scoring 69 runs as the UAE came agonisingly close to stunning England Lions.
Shanil has only taken two wickets in three friendly matches and will look to add to that tally in the tournament that will see the top eight Associate nations in action. There were no major omissions from the party with the national selectors sticking with the majority of the squad, led by Amjad Javed, that competed in the 3-0 series defeat to Afghanistan in Dubai last month.
“We are very confident in the players who have been selected ahead of the UAE’s first game and we are expecting our team to post a strong, winning result,” said Waleed Bukhatir, ECB member and chief selector ahead of the UAE’s opener against Namibia in Abu Dhabi on January 15.
“This group of players continues to encourage the Board with their commitment to increasing their fitness levels, fine-tuning their skills, and embracing a winning mind-set. We look forward to their hard work being rewarded.”
The UAE will take on familiar foes Afghanistan and Ireland in their group with the top two qualifying for the semi-finals at Dubai International Stadium on January 20.
“There are eight talented Associates competing in this tournament, which will provide supporters and followers of all participating countries with seven days of compelling, engaging cricket,” said Bukhatir. “Emirates Cricket is very proud to act as host and bring this opportunity to our fellow Associates.”
UAE SQUAD: Amjad Javed, Mohammed Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Rameez Shahzad, Ghulam Shabbir, Mohammed Qasim, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Naveed, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Shanil, Zahoor Ahmed
