Win at least two matches, coach Javed tells UAE boys
WORLD CUP SQUAD TO LEAVE FOR AUSTRALIA ON THREE- WEEK TOUR
UAE coach Aaquib Javed has set realistic goals for his team ahead of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year. The former Pakistan pace spearhead wants his wards to win “at least two matches” and then take it up from there.
“I feel having reached this far and qualified for the World Cup, we can beat the best of teams. If we don’t win two matches, I would say I will be very disappointed,” said Javed, whose side is placed in Pool Bwith defending champions India, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland.
The UAE team is currently undergoing a rigorous training session at the ICC cricket Academy in Dubai and Javed is pleased with the response shown by the players. “We are working for five days a week from 5pm to 10.30pm and I must say it’s been satisfactory so far. A lot of emphasis is on fielding and physical improvement.
“The boys spend eight to 10 hours in office and then to put time here is not easy but they are doing it,” revealed Javed, adding that they have met the employers of the players and persuaded them to release their staff on national duty.
“We have already met their employers and are in an understanding with them. They are ready to give them holidays during the training camps and as the World Cup approaches. We are going to Australia and they have managed leave.
Rigorous training
“We have three months training camp from November and the players will get a break. They will be able to focus completely on cricket then and we have worked out some incentives for them as well,” said Javed, whose side will be heading to Australia for a three- week tour starting September 7.
UAE will be playing five matches against the Australia national teams and that will give them a clear picture of where they stand and the grey areas to work on ahead of the mega- event.
“We have set targets for Australia. Look, our batsmen have to be comfortable playing the rising deliveries. We worked really hard indoors — using the side arms and bowling machines.
“I would say that we have covered 75 plus per cent. The matches there will help them improve. So we have to make the most of this tour,” Javed said.
“The biggest test was to ask the players to dive and slide. The environment these players play don’t allow [ them] to dive and slide because very few grounds are good enough to do that. However, here at the academy we are able to do that everyday and that has helped,” said Javed, who was also working extensively with the bowlers.
“With the fielding restriction, bowlers now need to bowl in the right areas. They not only have to get the bouncers right but also have to get the yorkers dead correct. So those four to five deliveries always have to be spot on,” said Javed, who was not very worried about his batting line.
“I think if you see the performance in the last two years, then Khurram Khan is outstanding and one of the best players from the associate nations. Shaiman Anwar was the best player of the best batsman of the World Cricket League and has done well in the qualifying round in New Zealand.
“Then we have Saqib Ali, who is back in the side and one of themost experienced players in the UAE.
“He has also played for Pakistan U- 19. I think we have good batsmen and they can deliver in any conditions but definitely, they will have to deal with the pace and few mystery bowlers like Saeed Ajmal. To tackle spin, we have roped in Venkatapathy Raju to help them.”