Regional cricket round-up: Perfect preparation for UAE ahead of big 2016

Denzil Pinto 22:06 21/12/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • The UAE are building towards crucial matches in January.

    With less than four weeks to go until their next competitive game, the UAE are back in training and captain Ahmed Raza insists the month-long preparations will help the players going forward.

    A preliminary 18-man squad assembled for training at ICC Academy last week ahead of the ICC Intercontinental Cup and World
    Cricket League matches against the Netherlands in Abu Dhabi beginning January 21.

    – AFRIDI: All-rounder snapped up in Pakistan Super League draft
    – ENGLAND: Cook and Root hit tons in South Africa warm-up
    – DHONI: India captain supports MCL
    – MCL: Tickets go on sale for UAE showdown

    With coach Aaqib Javed experimenting with a squad consisting of veterans and new boys including Laxman Sreekumar, the UAE began their preparations with a practice game against domestic side Danube Lions on Thursday.

    Javed will oversee training fivetimes a week as his team bids toregister their first victory in the ICC Intercontinental Cup after two defeats to Ireland and Hong Kong. Plenty will be at stake as players look to make the final cut and Raza insists his team must make the most of this “long training period”.

    “We have four weeks to go until we face the Netherlands and this is the time we need to work hard, even harder than before to make things right,” said the 27-year-old spinner.

    “Four weeks is a considerable time to work on our techniques, improve our fitness and work on our tactics. The players know the
    situation we are in. We haven’t had the best campaign in the Intercontinental Cup and we know we have to up our game.

    “But I’m confident these training sessions will be a big help for us. At the moment, we are going through a transitional phase.

    “Team work and bonding will be a big boost in terms of getting positive results. Getting back to winning ways is crucial as we don’t want the new players coming in to lose interest. We need to set a platform for UAE cricket.”

    Javed added: “This training camp is very important and it will help us with our fitness and improve on our weaknesses. It’s not going to be easy but the players will give their best every day.”

    Raza’s side showed their potential, taking England Lions all the way before losing the T20 three-match series 2-1 earlier this month.

    One player that caught Javed’s eye is left-handed batsman Mohammad Usman. He struck a half-century during the series, and
    Ahmed says he will not be surprised if Usman wears the UAE shirt again.

    “I’ve been very impressed with him and I’ve known him for a quite a few years now,” said Raza. “We used to play against each other in the domestic circuit and recommended him to Aaqib, who had a look at him and showed his talent. He’s one to
    look out for and I’m very positive he can score a lot of runs for the UAE if he’s given another chance.”

    Recommended