Vice-captain Yodhin Punja believes the UAE are capable of pulling off an upset when they take on defending champions Afghanistan on Monday in Malaysia.
The UAE go into their U-19 ACC Premier League game searching for their second straight win, having beaten Saudi Arabia by 165 runs on Saturday, while Afghanistan sit top of the standings with a perfect record from their three matches.
Punja’s side do not need any reminder of the threats posed by Afghanistan, with the latter delivering a superb all-round performance to win by 306 runs in their last meeting with the UAE in the 2014 edition.
The 16-year-old fast-bowler admits the champions are favourites but believes there is enough potential within the UAE team to cause a shock.
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“Afghanistan is our biggest test,” said Punja, who trains at Abu Dhabi’s MCC Zayed Academy. “Yes they are a good team but it’s not like we are anything less. If everyone applies themselves, concentrates and put on a show then it’s not going to be as hard as what people say.
“It’s important that we keep it simple and for sure nobody is going to overrate them. We will prepare for the game like how we do for all of our games and hopefully if our batsmen can step up to the task then hopefully our bowlers can do the same.
“We are definitely capable of creating an upset and we still want to claim second place which would be a great achievement as it is still our target.”
Punja has shown the potential that saw him named in the 30-man preliminary World Cup squad earlier this year, taking five wickets in his two games, four coming in the Saudi Arabia victory, and he is determined to add to his tally.
“I was in pretty good form and I expected to bowl well against Saudi Arabia,” he said. “I bowled a good spell against Nepal and I was a bit unlucky at times and am bowling a good pace. If I continue to keep to basics, I’m sure more wickets will come.”
