The UAE’s next World Cup team? 11 players capable of taking cricket into a bright future

2. Andri Berenger, 27*: Only 23 now but already firmly established at the top of the order for the national team. The Dubai-born opener had a poor World Cup, but he should be a far better player for the experience. Agile fielder but needs to work on getting fitter. William West / AFP

3. Alawi Shukri, 28*: If the UAE are to keep their policy from this World Cup of having an Emirati captain, then Shukri is the leading candidate. And if they are seriously committed to spreading the game to Emiratis, they need him back involved in the game. Paulo Vecina / The National

4. Rohan Mustafa, 30*: A mainstay of the side for years now, although he was lucky to make the final cut for this World Cup. It has long been hoped he will take over from Khurram Khan as the batting linchpin. But they are huge boots to fill for anyone. Satish Kumar / The National

5. Rameez Shahzad, 31*: The younger half of the only father-son partnership to represent the UAE. He has not done so for seven years, having moved to the UK to study. He has been back for some time, however, and dominates domestic attacks.

6. Rohit Singh, 25*: He captained the UAE at the Under 19 World Cup last year and has impressed his colleagues in the senior side since. Part of the squad for the World Twenty20 last year, although he did not get on to the field. A promising talent. Stanley Chou / Getty Images

7. Saqlain Haider, 31*: After Haider made a guest appearance keeping wicket for Australia last year, Aaqib said: “Saqlain is our future. He is young and I can foresee Saqlain playing for the next 10 years for the UAE.” Quite an endorsement. Greg Wood / AFP

8. Mohammed Naveed, 31*: The leading pace bowler in the country, and he went from strength to strength at the World Cup. He should still be capable of producing the goods four years from now. His free-spirited batting is a bonus, too. Fiona Goodall / AFP

9. Ahmed Raza, 30*: Shuffled out of the final 15 for the World Cup squad, despite being an integral part of the side during qualifying. He is sure to be a central part of the future, though, possibly even as captain. The left-arm spinner is also a fine fielder. Pawan Singh / The National

10. Qasim Zubair, 31*: A seam bowler who has been in the international wilderness for five years due to injury. Zubair had established himself as a bowler of great substance while still only a student up until 2010. Must be encouraged back. Jaime Puebla / The National

11 Yodhin Punja, 19* (not pictured): Named in the 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup, even though he was only 15 at the time. Aaqib, centre, knows all there is to know about pace bowlers, so he must have seen something good in the Abu Dhabi schoolboy. Satish Kumar / The National

Like all nations from beyond the Test sphere, the UAE are going to have their work cut out to make it back to the next World Cup.

While the national team’s players were adding the finishing touches to their preparations for this tournament, the ICC announced the next one will be for 10 teams only.

So there will be four fewer places.

Competition for those will be fierce, between the two lowest-ranked Test nations, and the best of the rest.

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Given the rate of progress the national team has made in the three years since Aaqib Javed took charge, the UAE still has plenty of reason to be optimistic. No nation has made such a marked improvement during the same space of time.

Much needs to happen for those advances to be perpetuated, though. The absolute, No 1 priority is to secure the services of Aaqib.

The former Pakistan cricketer has been so good for the sport here, he should be allowed to write his own contract. Either that, or they should steal his passport. Or tie him up. Or something. Just do not let him leave.

The next pressing concern is the age of the side. There will have to be a substantial turnover of players after this tour. Mohammed Tauqir and Khurram Khan are into their 40s, while many of the next best are 30-somethings.

Looking at this as the start of the next four-year cycle, the national team need to specify which personnel are best equipped to take them into the future, back them and invest in them.

Here are a few ideas of players who might be able to carry the fight for the UAE.

* All ages are as they will be in 2019

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