UAE women brace up for World T20 Qualifier

dubai — Thailand and the UAEare looking to give a good account of themselves, as they prepare to take on more fancied sides in the upcoming ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier 2018 in the Netherlands from July 7 to 14.

Thailand, who have figured in both previous editions of the tournament, are placed in Group B along with Ireland, Scotland and Uganda while the UAE’s maiden appearance will see them fight it out in Group A along with Bangladesh, the Netherlands and Papua New Guinea. The tournament will be held at the VRA Cricket Ground in Amstelveen and Kampong Cricket Club in Utrecht, with the finalists joining Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and host West Indies in the event proper from 9-24 November.

Thailand, who finished fifth in the 2013 Qualifier and seventh in the 2015 event, have made it this time after winning in the ICC Women’s World T20 Asia Qualifier, beating the UAE in the final.

The UAE cricketers too have been preparing well and coach Murali Sockalingam is hoping the team is able to make its presence felt on the international stage.

“It is for the first time that the UAE team is on the world stage against opposition like Bangladesh and the Netherlands (in the league) who already have international experience. Playing them is the toughest challenge but our objective is to play the World T20 in the West Indies by winning the Qualifiers,” he said.

UAE captain Humaira Tasneem, who like coach Sockalingam, is banking on opener Esha Oza, all-rounder Nisha Ali and former Sri Lanka captain Chamani Senevirathne doing well, says the team has been playing indoors to prepare for the cold conditions in the Netherlands.

Nisha scored 90 runs in six matches at the Asia Qualifier and was also their most successful bowler with 12 wickets, including tournament-best figures of five for seven against Thailand.

“Keeping ourselves injury-free is very important. There have been times where we have lost important players because of injuries. We want to make sure that we go into the league matches with our full strength and give our absolute all in the matches. This way we can be one of the top teams in our pool,” Humaira said.