DUBAI // Ghulam Shabbir, the new wicketkeeper, says he will prove his worth to UAE cricket after his surprise elevation, when he debuts against Scotland next month.
Shabbir was handed the gloves for the tour to the UK, as well as a professional contract, at the expense of Swapnil Patil, one of the mainstays of the national team.
Despite playing for the UAE in the Asia Cup earlier this year, Swapnil had spent much of the time since then back in his native India. As such, he was overlooked for selection.
Swapnil has been a stalwart of the side since the turn of the decade, and had been earmarked for one of the UAE’s new central contracts by Aaqib Javed, the former coach.
Shabbir’s inclusion, ahead of both Swapnil and Saqlain Haider, the other player vying to wear the gloves, was unexpected.
He moved to the UAE four and a half years ago to work for Alubond, an aluminium manufacturer who have one of the leading corporate cricket teams in the country, after feeling his career had stalled in his native Pakistan.
More from UAE cricket:
• UAE cricket goes pro: 'From today, we are professional': ECB hands first central contracts to UAE cricket players
• The Karate Kid: Krishnachandran Karate wants to make a name for himself when UAE cricket visit Scotland
• Shahzad's return: A decade after his debut, Rameez Shahzad ready to get back among the runs for UAE cricket team
He will have plenty to prove when he makes his bow in the two 50-over World Cricket League matches, and the four-day Intercontinental Cup tie in Aberdeen, but he is sure he can excel.
“I’m feeling excited about the chance to represent the UAE and I’m confident I can do well,” Shabbir, 30, said.
“I was playing for Faisalabad Wolves but was not really getting a chance, so I thought why not try the UAE, having seen there were a lot of Ramadan tournaments and things like that.
“I took a chance, landed here, and now I’ve got the chance to play for UAE. It was my aim to play international cricket, from the day I arrived.”
Shabbir played alongside Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammed Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal in Faisalabad, and says he aspires to play like them.
“They were my role models,” he said. “Because of them, I had the urge to improve myself.
“Now this is a big moment for me. I am confident I can do well. Whatever the conditions, I want to show my talent.”
Paul Franks, the interim UAE coach, said he had been impressed by Shabbir’s work ethic in the pre-series training camp.
“He obviously wants to be here,” Franks said. “He is a batter first, and his keeping is workmanlike at the moment.
“He has some work to do in terms of spending a day in the field, because he is used to a diet of 20- and 50-over cricket, which is an hour and a half and three hours in the field.
“Having a day in the field in Aberdeen might be daunting, but the quality of the work he has been putting in should stand him in good stead.”
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
