#360view: Aaqib Javed has set the standard for UAE cricket

Barnaby Read 07:47 21/04/2016
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  • Moving on: Aaqib Javed.

    News of Aaqib Javed’s resignation as UAE coach will come as a bitter blow for anyone involved with or who carries an interest in cricket in the country. He is without doubt the most successful coach in the UAE’s history, having led the team to two World Cups and instigated major change in the cricketing landscape across the emirates.

    The 50-over and World T20 successes are obvious marks of note on his CV which has been boosted by a four year spell at the helm of the UAE, but his influence on the sport here goes beyond the vast improvements made on the pitch.

    Javed was after constant improvement and made demands of both his players and the Emirates Cricket Board that ensure he leaves the team in its rudest health.

    Most international head coaches will not have played such a significant role in sponsorship deals, for instance, but when you are among the Associates such widespread influence and dedication is a must.

    And Javed threw himself into these tasks with as much enthusiasm as he did in developing the country’s cricketers.

    It has been a tenure littered with success stories and has ushered in a new era for UAE cricket that allows the next incumbent in the post the opportunity to take on an attractive role far more structured than when Javed took over in 2012.

    He leaves with full-time contracts, we are told, in the final process of being drawn up and having overseen the ECB’s Talent Hunt that has highlighted the depth of cricketer at the UAE’s disposal with hundreds turning out for the auditions in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai.

    Not only that, Javed has instilled a professionalism that has altered the mindset of the UAE senior and youth national teams.

    It was under Javed’s guidance that the team played more outdoor cricket, moved away from their concrete wicket backgrounds and became a more dynamic fielding outfit. Alongside the ICC Academy, he helped bring in Peter Kelly to run the rule over the team’s fitness and made use of the likes of Paul Franks and Paul Collingwood to ensure that his charges were constantly developing and taking on board new ideas.

    All of these factors have garnered great reward for UAE cricket and Javed’s influence has contributed significantly to securing a bright looking future for the nation and its board.

    He oversaw the UAE gaining full ODI status in 2014 which not only guaranteed more fixtures against the top sides, but also substantial ICC investment.

    No-one would have blamed Javed for moving on to coach his home country and none should sour their judgement of the 43-year-old who is calling time on his stint in the UAE in favour of the Pakistan Super League.

    Their ODI status is secured for the next two years and with no World Cup or World T20 event to immediately build towards the timing of his departure is fair.

    They are on the brink of their first professional players and his departure now gives his replacement time to imprint his own philosophy in line with two years of I-Cup and World Cricket League competition to help build a team capable of qualifying for the 2019 World Cup.

    Whoever that may be will be wise to combine Javed’s ability to bring players together with his hands on approach and must take into account the ECB’s desire to grow the game at grassroots level, particularly among Emiratis.

    But that does not go to say the new coach should rely on replicating Javed’s approach in its entirety.

    It is important that the next man in moulds a team upon those platforms that the Pakistani has built. Come the end of May when Javed departs for pastures new it will mark the end of a glorious era for UAE cricket. Here’s hoping it ushers in an even brighter future.

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