UAE set to appoint Brown

Denzil Pinto 23:33 27/01/2017
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  • On the radar: The UAE want Brown at the helm.

    The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) have yet to officially confirm the appointment with officials unavailable for comment but the former Warwickshire supremo was introduced to the UAE players ahead of their six-wicket victory over Hong Kong in Thursday’s ODI in Dubai.

    According to sources, he will be offered a three-month deal which will see the 47-year-old, who left the English county in October after 27 years, in charge of their ICC Intercontinental Cup and World Cricket League encounters against Papua New Guinea in April.

    Dougie, who played for England and Scotland during his 18-year career, will get a chance to see his new squad when they report back for training on February 6  after being given a week off.

    For Mustafa, he is looking forward of developing his game with the former Namibia coach.

    “I think he will be good for us to help us develop as a team,” said the 28-year-old all-rounder. “It’s quite hard to change the coaches all the time but he has played for England and Scotland and coached Warwickshire to success, so he has a lot of experience which he can pass on to us.”

    Dougie will replace ex-England international Owais Shah, whose three-month deal expires on Tuesday having taken the helm since October as a caretaker.

    In his short stint, Shah oversaw three wins in his 12 matches but the results was a far reflection from how he worked with the players.

    “What I saw of him, he was always hard working,” said Mustafa. “He was very good and there was always energy in him which I believe was good for the team. He was a lot different to Aaqib Javed and constantly made his point known and I have to give credit to him.

    “I believe I’ve improved a lot under him. He has taught me a lot of things and my performances were good under him.”

    For Shah, who was given a farewell dinner on Wednesday with the UAE squad and ECB officials, was disappointed not to have his contract extended but “thoroughly  enjoyed” his time.

    “I have surprised myself how much I enjoyed it,” he said, who began his association with the ECB as a temporary batting consultant. “I loved working with the players and coaching team. There are certain fields where they need to make big strides in but I just tried to bring elements on what is required of being a professional cricketer through my own experiences.”

    Getting better Mustafa believes the UAE are beginning to rediscover their form after their tri-nations victory over Hong Kong. During the win on Thursday, leg-spinner Imran Haider claimed another four-wicket haul as the Asian side were all out for 174 at the Dubai Stadium.

    Shaiman Anwar smashed a half-century, while Mustafa (42) and Mohammed Qasim (41) also made valuable contributions.

    “It was a very good win for us especially after beating Scotland on Tuesday,” he said. “I think this was an important result and it will give us momentum. Before the confidence was not there. Inshallah we will now start winning.

    “If you want to win a match, you need to have four or five performing as a team. The Hong Kong game showed we can now win as a team.”

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