DHAKA // The UAE's cricketers were forced into a late-night, long-distance telephone call to their employers back at home last night.
The gist of it would have been: “Excuse me, boss, but would you mind awfully if I extend my leave for another couple of works? I have to represent the country in cricket against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India.”
It is the sort of phone-call Amjad Javed, the captain of the national team in Twenty20 cricket who is a cargo load master for Emirates airline in Dubai, says he enjoys making.
After the UAE thrashed Oman at the National Cricket Stadium in Bangladesh's capital, to clinch the Asia Cup qualifying group in the most resounding fashion possible, he was delving into his kit bag for his mobile telephone.
“I have to call them now to ask for two more weeks off,” said Amjad, who has overseen four stunning wins over the past week to set up four engagements with the elite of Asian cricket.
“It can be difficult, but when you are working for the best airline in the world and they are always supporting you, you don’t mind making that call.”
Also see: UAE ease past Oman and punch ticket into Asia Cup Twenty20, reports Paul Radley
So if your luggage goes missing at Dubai International Airport over the next couple of weeks, blame it on the success of the national cricket team.
The same team who were, until this time last week, entirely unheralded, devoid of confidence, and seemingly on a terminal slide. They made a comeback win against Ireland in their final warm up match before this tour, and have not looked back since.
The turnaround has been extraordinary. Even Aaqib Javed, their perennially optimistic coach, admitted the way they had been playing for the past year - the batsmen in particular - was “depressing”.
And, now, four of the best performances the UAE have managed in the format, all in a row, and with an enticing carrot at the end.
The pressure had been intensified ahead of the meeting with Oman, in the final match of the pool. In the afternoon, Afghanistan had trounced Hong Kong to leapfrog the UAE at the top of the group on run-rate.
The national team had been there to see it, and knew that only a win would now suffice if they were to advance.
As if that was ever in doubt. A batting line up which had until recently seemed so reliant on players who are now retired from duty all of a sudden found two new gems.
Mohammed Kaleem made a fine half century at the top of the order, before Mohammed Usman bookended the innings with a sparkling cameo, worth 44.
Oman never got close in reply, in the face of more impressive fast bowling from Mohammed Naveed.
“It is such a nice feeling,” said Usman, who will have to ask for extra leave from his employers at UAE Exchange.
“I felt brilliant coming into this game after making 40-odd last time [against Hong Kong]. I just needed a few balls to get my eye in again, then I was able to start to play my natural game.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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