Chirag Suri recalled to UAE squad for their World Cup Qualifier

Denzil Pinto 15:44 19/02/2018
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  • Chirag Suri says it’s “a good feeling” to be recalled into the UAE squad for next month’s World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.

    The batsman, who turned 23 on Tuesday, was not part of the 14-man triumphant squad that won the World Cricket League Division Two title in Namibia last week.

    But with the ICC allowing a maximum of 15 players for the 10-team World Cup Qualifier, the Emirates Cricket Board selectors have drafted Suri back into the fold following his recent impressive displays.

    Since the start of the year, Suri scored 85 in a practice match against Nepal while going even better against Afghanistan with an unbeaten 86 with his domestic club Bukhatir XI.

    “It’s a good feeling to be back,” said Suri, whose last competitive appearance for the national team came in November where he scored 15 and 81 in the defeat to Afghanistan in the four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup at Abu Dhabi.

    “I’ve had a good start to the New Year and had a couple of good performances in the last month. I was lucky enough to do well in those and just want to take this form to the World Cup Qualifiers.”

    Suri broke into the national team last year after returning from the IPL where despite not playing a single minute for Gujarat Lions, became the first Emirates cricketer to be snapped up in the T20 extravaganza tournament.

    He continued to have a strong run before the emergence of opening batsman Ashfaq Ahmed meant he was overlooked for the WCL clashes. But he has no qualms of losing his spot and acknowledges he has to earn his place in the starting 11.

    “These things don’t really bother me (of wanting to win his place back),” he said. “I think the main thing is to do well and score runs whenever I play. Whether I’m in the squad or not, these things don’t really bother me. I try to play my own game. If anything I work harder if I’m not in the squad and try to produce the results. I’m really happy that a few games have gone that way and hopefully we can do that in Zimbabwe.”

    The UAE face an uphill task of reaching the showpiece event in 2019. They have been drawn alongside reigning World T20 champions West Indies, Ireland, Papua New Guinea and Netherlands in their group in a tournament where only the top two nations will qualify. Ireland, Afhganistan, Hong Kong, Nepal, Scotland and hosts Zimbabwe are in the other group.

    But it’s not the first time Suri will be playing in a World Cup Qualifier. In 2014, he was part of the squad that claimed a berth in New Zealand for the 2015 event and is hoping history can repeat itself.

    “I have very fond memories because to qualify for the World Cup was really good feeling. To help the UAE do that was incredible feeling and hopefully we can try and replicate that this year,” he said.

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