Left to right, Pakistan's coach Aaqib Javed, player Faisal Iqbal, coach Intikhab Alam and player Misbah-ul-Haq discuss at the end of an indoor practice session ahead of the third cricket test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, July 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Gurinder Osan)
Left to right, Pakistan's coach Aaqib Javed, player Faisal Iqbal, coach Intikhab Alam and player Misbah-ul-Haq discuss at the end of an indoor practice session ahead of the third cricket test match beShow more

Actions of new UAE cricket coach Aaqib Javed louder than words



Aaqib Javed, the new national cricket coach, is not a man to raise his voice unduly.

He prefers to let his bowling exploits, which include a World Cup-winning performance and a hat-trick in a one-day international, do the talking. They speak volumes. So when the former Pakistan bowling coach has something to say, it is best to listen.

When he said before the Tests against England in the UAE that "no other team has the bowling variety and depth like Pakistan" his comments were derided by sceptics. But his words proved prophetic as Pakistan whitewashed the No 1 team in the world.

"I'm not one for shouting at the players, or making a lot of noise for the sake of it," he said.

"Coaching players is all about taking pride in your work and ensuring that you show a caring attitude towards the players."

It is a philosophy that has served him well and one that UAE's strike bowlers Asadullah Sharif and Amjad Javed should buy into when they take the new ball for Aaqib's first assignment against Scotland today in Sharjah, which ironically is the scene of Aaqib's finest hour in cricket when he trapped Ravi Shastri, Mohammed Azharuddin and Sachin Tendulkar, of all people, lbw in successive balls against India in 1991.

It is testament to Aaqib's coaching ability that many of the attack who allowed England to score more than 260 once in the recent three-match Test match series in the UAE graduated from the Under 19 side he coached to World Cup glory in 2005.

The close relationship he developed with the country's fast bowlers explains why he was stunned when Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Amir were found guilty of in the spot-fixing scandal that rocked the game.

He had helped develop the potential of both as the coach at the National Cricket Academy. But he put the disappointment behind him and worked hard with the likes of Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema and Junaid Khan who complemented their spin colleagues in routing England last month.

"You have to be able to communicate effectively," he said. "Pay attention to detail, as well as be able to listen to what the players are telling you. At the end of the day the players' input into discussions is invaluable."

As a player Aaqib lived in the giant shadows of the great Pakistan fast bowlers Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram but his ability to swing the ball both ways made him the perfect foil for the pace duo.

While he could not match the searing speed of Waqar and Akram, he was a slippery customer with the ball and you underestimated him at your peril.

Against England in the summer of 1992 Javed, despite being only medium pace, was warned for intimidatory bowling at Devon Malcolm, a tail-end batsman, and was later fined half his match fee.

One of his career highlights came in the same year at the World Cup in Australia. He was drafted into the team as a replacement for the injured Waqar and his contribution was significant, taking two for 27 against England in the final as Pakistan lifted the trophy for the first time.

After a playing career of 22 Tests and 163 ODIs - he played his last game at the age of 26 in 1998 - he turned to coaching, first with the academy followed by intermittent appointments as the national bowling coach.

While Mohsin Khan, who replaced Waqar as the Pakistan coach, is largely credited for his role in the Test victories over England, many called for Aaqib to be given the top job. He may be media-shy but he made a big enough impression to become a strong candidate for head coach.

Mudassar Nazar, the former Pakistan coach, thought he was the ideal man for the job, citing the way he had grown in stature while working his way through different roles within the Pakistan system over the past 10 years.

Aaqib's passion for his work is not restricted to the top level of the game, but is also reflected in his unshakeable belief in the talent he has helped develop.

The players in the UAE will no doubt be happy to gain a mentor who is more akin to an elder brother than a hard task master - to use his own words

Aaqib has termed his new coaching assignment as "a great opportunity" and plans to develop cricketing talent over the next three years with special emphasis on the Under 19s.

It would seem that Pakistan's loss in bidding farewell to a trusted and well-liked mentor is a huge gain for the UAE.

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

FIXTURES

Nov 04-05: v Western Australia XI, Perth
Nov 08-11: v Cricket Australia XI, Adelaide
Nov 15-18 v Cricket Australia XI, Townsville (d/n)
Nov 23-27: 1ST TEST v AUSTRALIA, Brisbane
Dec 02-06: 2ND TEST v AUSTRALIA, Adelaide (d/n)
Dec 09-10: v Cricket Australia XI, Perth
Dec 14-18: 3RD TEST v AUSTRALIA, Perth
Dec 26-30 4TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Melbourne
Jan 04-08: 5TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Sydney

Note: d/n = day/night

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• Looming global slowdown and recession in key economies

• Russia-Ukraine war

• Interest rate hikes and the rising cost of debt servicing

• Oil price volatility

• Persisting inflationary pressures

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• Shortage of labour/skills

• A resurgence of Covid?

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).

Second leg

Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm

Games on BeIN Sports

In Praise of Zayed

A thousand grains of Sand whirl in the sky
To mark the journey of one passer-by
If then a Cavalcade disturbs the scene,
Shall such grains sing before they start to fly?

What man of Honour, and to Honour bred
Will fear to go wherever Truth has led?
For though a Thousand urge him to retreat
He'll laugh, until such counsellors have fled.

Stands always One, defiant and alone
Against the Many, when all Hope has flown.
Then comes the Test; and only then the time
Of reckoning what each can call his own.

History will not forget: that one small Seed
Sufficed to tip the Scales in time of need.
More than a debt, the Emirates owe to Zayed
Their very Souls, from outside influence freed.
No praise from Roderic can increase his Fame.
Steadfastness was the Essence of his name.
The changing years grow Gardens in the Sand
And build new Roads to Sand which stays the same.
But Hearts are not rebuilt, nor Seed resown.
What was, remains, essentially Alone.
Until the Golden Messenger, all-wise,
Calls out: "Come now, my Friend!" - and All is known

- Roderic Fenwick Owen

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Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

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