Chirag Suri confident he can impress for UAE national team after IPL stint

Denzil Pinto 19:04 16/05/2017
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  • Chirag Suri says he’s feeling more confident than ever that he can cement a spot in the UAE national team having returned from the IPL.

    The 22-year-old batsmen arrived back in Dubai on Tuesday afternoon after mixing with the world’s elite during his six-week stint with the Gujarat Lions.

    Despite his potential, he did not play a single minute as the Lions finished their disappointing campaign second bottom after just four wins in 10 matches.

    The Heriot-Watt University student now turns his focus to the remainder of the domestic season and is aiming to add to his three international caps when the national team play the Netherlands in three 50-over matches in July.

    “I’ve heard that I’ve been named in the 20-man squad for a tour and it’s very encouraging for me,” he said. “It’s good signs that I’m selected and now I want to cement my spot in the UAE team and will be looking to deliver.

    “I’m backing myself to do well because I’m getting that confidence and that is now high. Obviously, you don’t want to get carried away but you have to stay positive and play as much cricket as possible.”

    Three-match series with Netherlands

    The UAE will travel to the Netherlands in July for a three-match 50-over series with the Dutch.

    The two sides will meet at the Voorburg Cricket Club on July 10, 12 and 13 with the tourists aiming to continue their impressive form that saw them win the four-day I-Cup and ODI and T20I series’ against Papua New Guinea in April.

    The tour is expected to be the first in charge for the new permanent UAE head coach with the Emirates Cricket Board likely to announce Aaqib Javed’s permanent successor later this month. Javed ended his four-year stay last May having guided the team to the World Twenty20 in 2014 and the 2015 World Cup.

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