More than 1,000 budding cricketers descended on ICC Academy in Dubai last week with the aim of achieving one goal – to play for the UAE under-16 and under-19 teams.
With the under-16 team set to play in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournament in Qatar in October, and the under-19 side in Kuwait in November, coach Aaqib Javed oversaw proceedings at the trials which lasted five days.
And with a squad limit of only 20 per age group, the young cricketers had to be at their very best during the two hour sessions to have any chance of being selected for the next round that concluded on Monday.
After being put through their paces at the state-of-the-art indoor facility, some boys’ dreams ended while others still have hope when Javed names his final squads by the end of next week.
For one promising cricketer – Huzaifah Khan – his dream is still alive. The 13-year-old is a student at Zayed Cricket Academy in Abu Dhabi, which has grown to become one of the top cricketing establishments in the UAE.
Earlier this year, all-rounder Khan was part of the under-14 and under-16 teams which claimed a inter-school trophy double for Merryland International School.
And having been at the academy for five years, Khan felt he was ready for the opportunity.
He said: “My coaches said I was ready and I went there determined to give it my best shot. I remember entering the ICC Academy and seeing so many boys for the trials. I prepared myself thinking that I would have to bowl and bat to get selected but it wasn’t the case.
“There was a particular net for fast bowlers and spinners and I played in both, with the other boys bowling.
“After my batting, I was selected for the next round,” said Khan. “I wanted to bowl but after seeing my batting that was enough for them to see potential in me.”
Describing his emotions when he made it through the next round, Khan said: “I believed in myself that I could do it. I know my capabilities and I trusted in myself and I was pleased that I did well.”
Among the players that Javed must select in the under-16 team are at least five Emiratis due to a change of ACC rules.
“I have been in contact with a guy who knows the cricket in Al Ain. We will work together to have them included otherwise we cannot compete," added Javed.
“The interest was good. Within five days we had more than 1,000 players and it is a development. You want more and more people to engage in cricket and it’s a good sign.”
