Coach Murali Sockalingam is pleased with how the UAE played during Ramadan but stressed there’s still still a lot of work to do before they open their Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier campaign in Netherlands next month.
The national team tested themselves against boys’ Under-16 sides during the Holy month and despite not having all their players available, they pushed their opponents all the way but were unable to register a win.
During the same period, the side also played a touring team from Sri Lanka in a game organised by the Emirates Cricket Board. This time they fared much better, winning two of the four matches they played.
Reflecting back on the past month, Sockalingam insists the matches were a great learning curve to see where they stand ahead of their opening game against hosts Netherlands on July 7.
“It was a good way for the players to test themselves,” he said. “We have a squad where people are working and studying so it’s very difficult to get us altogether for a training camp. So match experience is the best way to get the team together. It was a good thing for the girls to get some experience.
“We gained a lot from these games. We wanted them to test their bowling and batting and just get as much confidence as they can before the tournament. I won’t say that we are there 100 per cent yet but there’s still areas to improve on.
“We have given the players and the team their own goals to work on we’ll see how it goes.”
So very excited for our #UAE #Women, who will be competing in the @ICC #Women's T20 GLOBAL Qualifiers in July.
— UAE Cricket Official (@EmiratesCricket) May 17, 2018
Check out the squad 👉 https://t.co/BbZzQmHgMo#GirlsRock! #GoUAE @ANIBDXB @tykasports @ICCAcademy pic.twitter.com/Ull6moAt5g
The team will depart for Netherlands at the end of the month with three warm-up matches before they take on the hosts. Sockalingam is convinced by the time they face the Dutch the side will be ‘in a better position’.
“We will be playing three practice games there and that will be a good test for us. By the time we finish that, we’ll be in a much better position,” he added.
The UAE will be aiming to claim one of the two available berths for November’s showpiece in the West Indies.
Along with the Netherlands, they have been drawn alongside Asian champions Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea. The week-long event also features Scotland, Ireland, Uganda and Thailand.
One player who will not be featuring in Netherlands is former captain Natasha Michael. The all-rounder was left out of the squad as she steps up her recovery from a niggling back injury.
Current skipper Humaira Tasneem says it’s disappointing for Natasha to miss out but vowed to give their best.
“Obviously, it’s pretty upsetting to see that happen,” said Tasneem. “She’s been part of the team since day one when the UAE played their very first game in 2007. She was there for the qualifiers where we made history. It was pretty upsetting to hear that she won’t be competing but we want to do well in this tournament for her and the UAE who have always been supporting us.”
