Heriot Watt University captain Rohit Singh insists his team are capable of causing some upsets in this week’s Red Bull Campus Cricket Finals in Sri Lanka.
The Dubai-based institution beat eight teams to earn the right to represent the UAE for the second consecutive season of the Twenty20 event and will now test themselves among the sport’s brightest prospects from around the world.
They face a tough task with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, England, Pakistan and Australia all aiming to dethrone two-time defending champions South Africa and reign supreme on September 11.
While Singh is wary of the challenge ahead, the 22-year-old has backed his team to upset the odds in Asia, especially with batsman Mohsin Khan and bowler Adnan Khan returning to the squad having missed last year’s tournament in India due to visa issues.
“We just need to play our natural game,” said the former Under-19 UAE captain, whose team have been training for the last two months.
“It’s a very balanced side and I could not have asked for anything more. We are one of the best university sides in the UAE and we have cricketers who have played in A Division tournaments in the UAE. We have fast bowlers, spinners, good aggressive batsmen and think positive and believe in themselves.
“It’s the same as last year but this time we have a more balanced side. We hope to reach the semi-finals and if we can have a good day, we could even reach the final.”
8 countries. 1 dream. Red Bull Campus Cricket World Finals returns to Sri Lanka! #RedBullCampusCricket pic.twitter.com/Yvar8Uzwe0
— RedBullCampusCricket (@RBCampusCricket) August 25, 2016
In last year’s event, the UAE enjoyed a mixed campaign, losing to South Africa and Sri Lanka before putting on a spirited display in their victory over Pakistan in the final group match.
Singh insists he was satisfied by their performances and has done his homework on conditions that his team are likely to encounter.
“I have been following the Test and ODI series between Sri Lanka and Australia and the spinners have been pretty effective, so our spinners will be key,” he said.
“India and Sri Lanka will be strong opponents especially the hosts who have three internationals in their team.
“But South Africa is one team that is pretty strong as they’ve won the past two championships and they will be the team to beat.”
Singh and Chirag Suri have represented the national team but the captain says his troops are out to do the UAE proud.
“When we go out there on shirts will have the UAE and not Heriot Watt. It will be big boost for us and through this platform, we are getting the chance to play for the UAE as well as playing in good stadiums.”
