Classes temporarily take a back seat for UAE all-rounder Qazi

National team duty a not-unwelcome interruption to educational plan

Moaaz Qazi, right, of the UAE plays a shot against Pakistan duirng a warm-up match at the Sevens ground in Dubai. Satish Kumar / The National

Moaaz Qazi speaks about his education plans while embracing his cricket career as the all-rounder, 18, prepares for a busy coming few months with the UAE:

qWhat is the atmosphere and mood in the camp ahead of the World Cup?

aIt is excellent and enjoyable with the World Cup about to start. There is a feeling of camaraderie from the players to the technical staff. We are all excited and raring to go in our first game against England.

What was your reaction to being selected in the national Twenty20 side?

It was a surprise at first. Then I feel I can perform, if provided with the opportunity to play. The T20 format is my strength and suits my style of play as I love to hit the ball hard.

Your success has come at a price because you are missing out on your studies. How do you plan to catch up on this?

I am not doing the A-Levels and am instead planning to apply to a few universities in Canada, where I can do a foundation course to enter a university. It was the plan, and then the U19 World Cup came up. So I have prolonged it until after the T20 World Cup in March.

Are you still aiming to make a full-time career out of playing cricket?

I will continue playing cricket regardless of where I will be, because it is something that I love to do. If I find university entrance in Canada, there is scope for me to continue playing as well. I will still have to get permission from my parents and I am sure they will not have any objections, because it is a sport.