Mohammed Wasim provided yet more evidence of his credentials to the UAE selectors with a run-spree this weekend – even if he will still be ineligible for selection when the national team return to action next month.
The UAE are set to resume competitive cricket for the first time in 11 months with four one-day internationals against Ireland in Abu Dhabi in January.
Despite stealing the limelight in domestic cricket of late, opening batsman Wasim will not be part of the squad. It is understood his three-year residency qualification, as per ICC regulations, will only be completed in April.
On current form, it seems certain the Pakistan-born batsman will be rushed into the setup as soon as he is available.
He had already caught the eye in making the highest score in the 10-over competition that heralded the return of cricket after lockdown, earlier this year.
Then, on Friday, he scored the first century of the new 20-over tournament, finishing on 101 not out in Fujairah’s win over Abu Dhabi in the Dream 11 Emirates D20.
A day later at the Dubai International Stadium, he scored a half-century to provide the backbone for a successful run chase against the ECB Blues.
The status of the opposition was important. The ECB side is a development side for the national team, and all of its players have represented UAE either at senior or Under 19 level.
“I have just been trying to play my natural game, and it has been working as I’ve been scoring runs,” Wasim, 26, said.
“I did not feel too much pressure [playing against the UAE development side] as we have played together a lot now.
“We are trying our best to win this competition. We have a well balanced team, with a good combination of spinners and batsmen.”
The fixture pitted together the only two undefeated teams in the competition. Fujairah kept the ECB side to 135-7 from their 20 overs, with 15-year-old spinner Aayan Khan again outstanding with the ball for Fujairah.
Rohan Mustafa, guest starring for Fujairah in this tournament, took two for 15 from his four overs, then shared in a stand worth 58 for the first wicket with Wasim at the start of the reply.
Wasim top scored with 50 as Fujairah eased to the win – their fourth in succession at the start of the competition – with 10 balls to spare.
