UAE's Shaiman Anwar wants to carry on playing in his 40s once Super Six stage is over

Denzil Pinto 15:48 19/03/2018
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  • Shaiman Anwar (right) is one of the most experienced players for UAE

    Despite seeing their World Cup dreams dashed, UAE veteran Shaiman Anwar has no immediate plans of calling it quits and wants to carry on playing for at least another year in his 40s.

    The UAE take on Afghanistan on Tuesday knowing they have nothing but pride to play for after their Scotland defeat on Thursday. That 73-run loss distinguished their slim hopes of reaching the 2019 showpiece in England but with ODI status secured until 2022, at 39, Anwar feels he still has plenty left in the tank for the national team.

    “To be honest, I’m 39 and I still feel good about my ability to play,” said Anwar, who made his international debut way back in 2010.

    “I’m thinking of playing for at least one more year. Then after that, I’ll take a call. It will all depend on how I’m playing and if my fitness is good. If that’s all right, then I can continue even playing for a number of years.

    “It’s exciting times for the UAE cricket with ODI status sealed until 2022, so I want to be part of that and help the sport grow even further.”

    Shaiman will be playing his 31st ODI on Tuesday against a team he and the UAE know fairly well. Afghanistan and the UAE have played consistently in all formats in recent years with their latest clash coming in the four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup in November.

    Afghanistan were crowned champions following the 10-wicket triumph – their last four-day fixture before they move on to playing Tests from this year. Anwar scored 85 in the first innings and in the last six ODIs between the two nations, he has hit three consecutive half-centuries.

    But Anwar comes into the game having struggled in the World Cup Qualifier with 64 being his highest score in his last six matches in Zimbabwe.

    Yet he is confident he can rediscover his form going into the last two matches, beginning with Afghanistan.

    “I’ve had some good innings against Afghanistan and I hope that continues,” added Anwar. “Afghanistan are always strong side and they will be playing to qualify for the World Cup. It’s going to be hard but I’ll do everything I can to score big.”

    In the last two matches, the UAE’s top-order struggled with the bat and Anwar insists he has a responsibility of leading by example.

    “As batters we need to finish the game. The coaching staff has been instructing us that in every match that we have a responsibility to give our best in batting. As a senior player, if I play well it’s a big boost for my team and my team-mates.”

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