DUBAI // Mohammed Tauqir, the veteran Emirati cricketer, acknowledges he is under pressure to prove he is worthy of a place in the UAE squad for next year’s World Cup.
The 42-year-old off-spinner was named vice captain for this month’s tour of Australia despite not having played competitive cricket for more than a year.
Tauqir, who is the most successful Emirati player ever, last played for the UAE in July 2012 and had been winding down his playing career.
He had never said he was retired, though, and was encouraged to attempt an international comeback when the national team won qualification for the 2015 World Cup.
The selectors, mindful of the years of service he has given to the game here, offered him the chance to prove his worth again by picking him for the trip to Perth and Darwin.
The former UAE captain made his full one-day international debut against Sri Lanka a decade ago after having played with the national team in other competitions.
He is aware that his past achievements, which include multiple ACC Trophy wins, will count for nothing in the final reckoning when the World Cup squad is decided next year.
“I am very, very excited and feel honoured to get this chance,” said Tauqir, who played against Test opposition as part of the UAE’s Asia Cup squad in 2004 and 2008.
“I have participated in many tours and tournaments, but the World Cup is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I am very thankful to the selectors who have provided me with this opportunity, but at the same time it is a challenge for me.
“I have to prove my fitness, my skill level, that all of my cricket is in line with the rest of the boys in the squad and I am working very hard towards that.”
Aaqib Javed, the national team coach who has enjoyed success since taking over the role, will oversee a third major tournament campaign when the UAE play at the 2015 World Cup.
The Under 19 side competed at their age-level World Cup last season, while the senior side made their World Twenty20 debut in Bangladesh earlier this year.
Aaqib has a deep knowledge of the talent available to him, yet he concedes he had not seen Tauqir play before this year.
“It is tough to comment on his situation,” Aaqib said of Tauqir being restored to the side.
“I have seen him working hard, but he has missed a couple of years playing cricket. We will see how he progresses with three or four months to go.
“We wanted to give a chance to everyone and he has to justify his inclusion in the team.
“I am always there for everyone, but at the same time, everyone has to improve and prove they deserve to be in the team.”
The squad to which Tauqir has returned is not vastly different to that in which he played two years ago.
Long-term colleagues such as Khurram Khan, the captain, Amjad Javed, Amjad Ali and Saqib Ali are also in Australia this month.
Tauqir said it is noticeable how the pace-bowling resources of the side have improved in the time in which he has been absent.
“In the fast-bowling department, with the inclusion of Mohammed Naveed and Kamran Shahzad, I have been very impressed,” said Tauqir, who works as a relationships manager in a bank.
“Naveed in particular has made a real difference. He has been bowling 140kph and above consistently.
“That is one area that has really surprised me. It has been a huge difference that I have noticed in the team.
“This Australia tour is going to help us a lot in terms of progression towards the World Cup.
“Looking at the whole scenario, the way the squad is developing and the matches ahead of us, I’m pretty confident we can get at least two (World Cup) wins under our belts.”
pradley@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
