UAE off to Oz for World Cup preparation

Barnaby Read 15:09 29/07/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Reasons to celebrate: The UAE have qualified for only their second World Cup in history.

    Ahead of the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand the UAE will prepare for conditions Down Under by touring both countries in September.

    The UAE will be joined by the other World Cup qualifiers – Scotland, Afghanistan and Ireland – as part of the ICC's High Performance Programme.

    During the trip, the UAE will play six one-day matches against state and provincial sides as well as Papua New Guinea in Darwin on September 17.

    “To play in the ICC Cricket World Cup is the dream of all cricketers; it’s the biggest event that any of us can participate in.  It has been 18 years since the UAE’s only appearance at the World Cup, and we are looking to make our mark in 2015,” said UAE coach Aaqib Javed.

    “The ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand in January was the team’s first taste of the local conditions, and this tour provides us with a strong programme of high-level matches and experience across a range of conditions.  It provides a really good opportunity to test ourselves – it is crucial preparation for us.”   

    Next year's World Cup, which begins in February, will be the second edition that the UAE has taken part in, having qualified for the 1996 tournament.

    The UAE qualified for the tournament after finishing runner-up to Scotland at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2014 and its preparation schedule will include two matches in Perth, the venue for the side’s clash against India on 28 February.  

    Speaking about the HPP tour, ICC chief executive, David Richardson, said: “Helping cricket’s top emerging nations to perform on the global stage is a key part of the ICC’s High Performance Programme, and these tours will provide a great opportunity for the four teams to gain valuable knowledge and experience of the conditions they will face during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

    “All sides have a strong schedule of matches against high-level opposition, and we are grateful to Cricket Australia, New Zealand Cricket and their state and provincial associations for supporting the programme so fully.”

    Recommended