The UAE cricket team today touched down in Perth to launch the final stages of its preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which will be played in Australia and New Zealand from 14 February to 29 March.
With five months to go to cricket’s pinnacle 50-over tournament, the UAE is the first of the four qualifiers to arrive in Australia and New Zealand to hone its skills as part of a tour organised by the ICC’s High Performance Programme (HPP).
The UAE is preparing for its second ICC Cricket World Cup, having previously appeared in the 1996 edition staged in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and the side will start its six-match tour in Perth before travelling to Darwin.
“Since the World Cup Qualifier earlier this year in New Zealand, we have made even more progress," said UAE coach Aaqib Javed.
"This HPP camp, with games and training at different venues, under different conditions and against high quality opposition, is very important for our preparation.
"We’ll then come back to the UAE and prepare specifically on Perth and Gabba wickets in the nets and across the ovals at the ICC Academy in Dubai, where we’re based. So this tour is very important as we ramp up our training in the final few months before the World Cup.”
“There is a lot of hype in the players’ minds that Australian pitches are fast, bouncier – it will be a good experience to just go there and feel the pitches and the environment,” he said.
The UAE will play two one-day matches against the Warriors in Perth before travelling to Darwin, where it will face Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Northern Territory and the Redbacks in four games to complete its two-week tour.
The side gained ODI status in 2014 following its performance at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier New Zealand 2014, and Javed believes the UAE has the talent to make a mark on the global stage in 2015.
“The team did really well in New Zealand during the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2014. Now it is a tougher task ahead, which the players are really excited about. They’ve got the abilities, so now it is about the mind-set,” he said.
Javed's side will be in Pool B of the ICC Cricket World Cup, along with defending champion India, fellow qualifier Ireland, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe.
The UAE will open its campaign against Zimbabwe at Saxton Oval, Nelson, on 19 February before taking on Ireland at the Gabba on 25 February.
Javed was a member of the Pakistan side that won the ICC Cricket World Cup when it was last staged in Australia and New Zealand, in 1992, and recently told Sport360 that he hopes his experience will be of benefit to his side.
The former seamer, who has won three ICC events in three different roles, claimed his best figures of the 1992 tournament during his side’s famous victory against Australia in Perth (three for 21), and has happy memories of the city.
“Perth definitely holds some special memories for me. It’s a beautiful place, I always have a wonderful time in Australia. I think that is my favourite country as far as cricket is concerned," he added.
UAE HPP tour matches
12 September – UAE v Warriors, WACA
14 September – UAE v Warriors, Murdoch University
17 September – UAE v Northern Territory, Marrara Oval 1 (Darwin)
18 September – UAE v Papua New Guinea, Gardens Oval (Darwin)
23 September – UAE v Redbacks, Marrara Oval 1 (Darwin)
25 September – UAE v Redbacks, Marrara Oval 1 (Darwin)
