Former UAE captain Amjad Javed retires from international cricket

Dubai-born fast bowler, who last represented Emirates in December 2017, focused on contributing to game in another capacity

Retiring fast bowler Amjad Javed feels it is time to move on after enjoying a successful stint with the UAE national team. AFP

Amjad Javed says he hopes to retain some involvement in UAE cricket, after announcing his retirement from playing.

The fast bowler was a fixture of the side for a decade, before losing his place at the end of last year, despite juggling playing duties with working as a cargo loadmaster for Emirates Airline.

The Dubai-born bowler, who captained the side to the final phase of the 2016 Asia Cup in Bangladesh, said he is now keen to help the side in another capacity, “whenever they need me”.

“UAE are doing better and I can’t find my way back into that team, so I think it is my time to hang up my boots and support them in any other way,” Javed, 38, said.

“This could be in any field, I haven’t decided yet, but, so long as my duty allows it, I will be there because this country has given me a lot thanks to cricket.

“I will be available for them whenever they need me.”

Never easy but it’s time to take retirement from UAE cricket and enjoy watching it as a fan. Would like to thanks @EmiratesCricket @ACCMedia1 @ICC for providing a platform to lead and represent UAE at the highest level.

— Amjad Javed (@amjadjaved) December 22, 2018

Javed last played for the national team in December 2017, and acknowledged he was struggling to find a way back into a pace bowling line-up that includes the likes of Mohammed Naveed, Zahoor Khan and Qadeer Ahmed.

“There is nothing left for me to achieve,” Javed said. “I have achieved all my targets, but when I see myself in the current team, I can’t find myself a place.

“There is nothing to motivate me to get back in that team, because there are good players who are better than me, who are performing well and representing UAE.

“At the moment, I just want to be relaxed and just be a fan, and support UAE cricket.”

Javed played in World Cups in both the 50-over and Twenty20 formats. He lists the 13-run win over Kenya at the 2014 World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand as his most cherished moment playing for UAE.

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That win confirmed a place in the final of that competition against Scotland. More vitally for the game in the Emirates, it meant the national team were granted full one-day international status, as well as a first appearance at a World Cup – the following year – in two decades.

“That was one of the best games for me,” said Javed, recalling a fixture in which he was named Man of the Match after scoring 63 in 31 balls, then taking two cheap wickets.

“When you come to know you are going to be playing in the World Cup, that you have ODI status, the whole team, including the coach Aaqib Javed, and the captain Khurram Khan, everyone was happy.

“There was so much joy that we had achieved what we had all lived for at that time. That was the best moment of my cricket career.”