There were no major omissions from the UAE’s 30-man provisional squad for next year’s World Cup, which was released yesterday by the ICC.
With a few weeks to go until their opening game against Zimbabwe on February 19, UAE coach Aaqib Javed has kept faith in players who played against the Pakistan ‘A’, New Zealand ‘A’ and Afghanistan teams recently.
Making the cut are captain Khurram Khan, who will be the oldest player at the World Cup, aged 43, as well as some of the experienced players like right-arm medium bowler Amjad Javed and opener Shaiman Anwar.
Also on the provisional list is Emirati Fahad Alhashmi, who ended his four-year international exile in the series against Afghanistan earlier this month. The fast-medium bowler claimed four wickets in two matches, doing enough to be in contention for the final squad. Also on the list are opener Andri Berenger (23) and wicket-keeper Saqlain Haider (25).
“The players who competed in the games against Pakistan, New Zealand and Afghanistan are in the squad,” said Javed.
“There was a good chance of them being selected as I wanted to give them an opportunity to show me what they can do. There is a real blend within the squad and now they can concentrate on working hard and trying to get into the final 15.”
Javed has a “fair idea” of who will make up his 15-man squad, but said there is still time for players to impress. “There’s still places up for grabs and there’s still time for people to work hard and show me what they’re made of.”
Left out of the squad are experienced left-arm spinner Shadeep Silva and batsman Vikrant Shetty.
Silva was reported for an illegal bowling action and the UAE selectors felt that the issue couldn’t be solved before the World Cup.
The coach has also included a number of youngsters in his squad as he aims to take a look at some of the up-and-coming talent with an eye on the future.
Among the names is 15-year-old fast-bowler Yodhin Punja, who has excelled for the under-19 team. While it is unlikely the Cambridge High School student will play in Australia and New Zealand, Javed spoke highly of the teenager.
He said: “He’s a promising player and one to look out for. He’s a real talent and really good. He can bowl really fast and can swing the ball in different directions.”
And MCC Zayed Cricket Academy coach Qazi Ayub said: “For him it’s a real credit, because he works very hard in training every week. Even if he doesn’t go to the World Cup it can give him something that he can aim for in the future.”
Former under-19 players Rohit Singh and Chirag Suri are also in the provisional list. With no matches scheduled before they fly out for the World Cup, Javed will analyse his players carefully before naming his final 15-man squad in early January.
The provisional squad
Ahmed Raza, Ahsan Ali, Amjad Ali, Amjad Javed, Andri Berenger, Asadullah Shareef, Chirag Suri, Fahad Alhashmi, Faizan Asif, Fayyaz Ahmed, Irfan Sajid, Kamran Shahzad, Khurram Khan, K. Karate, Manjula Guruge, Mohammad Naveed, Mohammad Shahzad, Mohammad Tauqir, Nasir Aziz, Noor Ul Amin, Rohan Mustafa, Rohit Singh, Salman Farooq, Saqib Ali, Saqlain Haider, Shaiman Anwar, Swapnil Patil, Usman Mushtaq, Umair Ali and Yodhin Punja.
