ABU DHABI // Aaqib Javed has credited the professional approach of the UAE squad for helping them achieve their goal of qualifying for the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh next year.
Victory against the Netherlands on Wednesday ensured the UAE are among the sides to qualify from the World T20 qualifier, and the coach was clear where the praise for reaching their first major ICC tournament in 18 years should fall.
“The credit goes to them,” Aaqib said. “They love this game, that is why they are playing. We are the only team that is not professional that is producing results as one of the professional teams.”
Aaqib added that the World Twenty20 qualification is just part of his ambitions for the team.
“I want the UAE to play all three world cups,” he said. “We’re in the Under 19 World Cup. Now we are in the 2014 World Twenty20, and now have an eye on qualification for the 50-over World Cup in 2015.”
The UAE’s work is not done yet at the Qualifier, despite their main adjective having already been achieved.
They take on Ireland in the semi-finals today in Abu Dhabi for a place in tomorrow’s final of the competition.
The two sides met in the group stages of the competition when the UAE ended up losing despite a strong performance from the ball.
They restricted the Irish to 138 for five and just failed to chase that score down as they were bowled out five runs short with one ball remaining.
The game will be played after the first semi-final, which sees Afghanistan and Nepal meet for the second time in seven days.
The two teams played in Sharjah last Friday in a rain-affected encounter that was reduced to seven overs a side.
Afghanistan prevailed by nine wickets on that occasion and they will be favourite to prevail at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
