DUBAI // Khurram Khan, the UAE captain, has revealed he "definitely" will not be in the national team when they play at the next Asia Cup in 2010. The all-rounder, 37, was handed the responsibility of captaining the Emirates for the third time at the end of last month. His first duty was leading the side at the ACC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur, where they ended as runners-up to Hong Kong after the final on Aug 3.
That earned them a place - for the third time in succession - at the Asia Cup, the continent's premier one-day tournament where they will be pitted against the likes of India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, in two years' time. However, Khurram admits age is likely to prevent him from making it a hat-trick of appearances."I definitely won't be there. It is all up to the juniors now, and I hope they can continue the very good job they have been doing," he said.
"I think it is time for the juniors to take over. They have been doing well, and I am happy for them. I would love to sit back and watch them playing well." Khurram has been one of his country's top performers at the last two editions of the Asia Cup, in Sri Lanka in 2004 and in Lahore in June, and remains one of the nation's most reliable players. At the ACC Trophy he was the UAE's second most successful batsman, behind the player-of-the-tournament Arshad Ali. Yet, the plain figures of Khurram's haul - 190 runs at an average of 47.50 - in Malaysia do little to reflect the importance of his efforts.
Khurram is still expected to be in charge when the UAE bid to win one of the four berths at 2011 ICC World Cup at the qualifying competition in April. @Email:pradley@thenational.ae
