UAE's Shabbir optimistic more big scores will come

Denzil Pinto 20:40 05/05/2017
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  • ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 15: Ghulam Shabbir of United Arab Emirates bats during the Desert T20 Challenge match between United Arab Emirates and Namibia at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on January 15, 2017 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

    Ghulam Shabbir feels he’s rediscovering his best form with the bat after scoring a half-century in the UAE defeat to Oman on Thursday.

    The wicketkeeper smashed 51 runs in the 50-over match but it wasn’t enough for his team to seal a 3-0 series whitewash win as the tourists fell to a 38-run loss in Muscat.

    It was the 31-year-old’s second fifty of the tour and third milestone in eight matches and the Jhang-born is pleased he’s proving that he can make big scores and not just be handy behind the stumps.

    “Nowadays, cricket is evolving and batting is equally as important as wicket-keeping,” he said.

    “I feel there’s been a lot of improvement in my batting and although I scored a half-century, it was disappointed to have not won the series 3-0 because that was a scoreline that we all wanted.”

    The series was the last in charge for Dougie Brown as interim head coach with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) expected to name the permanent successor to Aaqib Javed later this month, a year after the ex-Pakistani pacer ended his successful four-year stay in the Emirates.

    Shabbir credited Brown for their revival under the former Warwickshire boss, who also oversaw series victories in all three formats against Papua New Guinea last month.

    “He’s definitely one of the best coaches I’ve worked with,” he said.

    “He made the whole team united and gave the confidence to each and every player that they can do things. There was a real positive vibe around the squad and the players were really happy because we were improving every day.

    “We will be ready to improve even more with the new coach.”

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