Among the names in the UAE’s 30-man provisional squad for next year’s World Cup is Yodhin Punja. At just 15-years-old, he is the youngest player on the squad lists received by the ICC.
The call-up certainly surprised Punja, who said he had no idea he was in the squad.
And while the fast-bowler admits it “will be very difficult” to make the final 15-man squad, he is happy to use this achievement as a platform for bigger things in the future.
“It was only a few days ago when my mum’s friend said there was a story in Sport360° that I was named in the 30-man squad,” said the Cambridge student.
“I was excited and I didn’t know what to do. It is a great feeling to be called up and it’s something I can look back later on in life.
“I was very surprised to be honest. I didn’t expect it at all. I think Aaqib (Javed, national coach) just saw something in me at the under-16 trials.”
Punja faces fierce competition book a place on the place to Australia and New Zealand, with the travelling party to be named in early January.
But he said: “I’m still positive about being selected for the final squad. Realistically, I’m not too sure I will get in because it will be very difficult as there are very good fast bowlers, but I’m still positive.
“This call-up will do me good for the future. Hopefully I can carry on the impressive form and play for the national team in one or two years. It’s a signal that I’m now close to playing for the UAE.”
Punja’s UAE career only began in June this year with a good outing at the under-16 national trials at ICC Academy. He was rewarded with a spot in the under-19 team which finished third in the six-team Asian Cricket Council Premier League in November, where he claimed four wickets in three matches in Kuwait.
Keen to impress Javed, Punja travelled from Abu Dhabi to Dubai’s ICC Academy for his first training session of the camp, a day after completing his final school exams.
“It was high level of training and I was a bit nervous at the start but those nerves went away,” he said after the session.
“It was good to be alongside some of the national players and I wasn’t fazed at all. Aaqib has given me some good advice like how to use my wrist more while bowling,” added Punja who plans to attend every session until the squad is announced.
A big fan of England pacer James Anderson, Punja thanked the coaching staff at the MCC Zayed Cricket Academy, where he currently trains.
“The academy has been a great help,” he said. “I have been with them for the past eight years and worked hard on my fitness. The coaches has been really helpful.”
And the Academy head coach Qazi Ayub was thrilled to see Punja’s qualities recognised.
“It is a real credit to him,” said Ayub. “He has worked really hard in training and it’s pleasing to see he is being rewarded at national level.”
