Very exciting time for Emirates cricket

Ahmed Raza says it’s an exciting time to be a UAE cricketer as they get ready for a season that includes a trip to the T20 World Cup and potential Home games against India and Pakistan.

The national team will play a one-day international match against Scotland in Aberdeen on Wednesday.

This is the first game of the Cricket World Cup League 2 three-round series, which also involves the United States.

After four ODIs in six days in Scotland, the UAE will switch to T20 for the Asian Cup qualifiers in Muscat at the end of August.

If they succeed there, they will face a mighty India in Dubai and Sharjah in Pakistan.

A little over a month later, they will travel to Australia for the opening round. T20 World Cupwhere they will play the Netherlands, Sri Lanka and Namibia.

The spirit of optimism is not limited to the men’s game. women’s national team, Who holds the world record of 21 unbeaten matches in T20I crickethas its own upcoming challenges.

They will compete for a place in the Women’s T20 World Cup in a global qualifier in Abu Dhabi in September.

They are in a group with Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea and Thailand for matches at the Zayed Cricket Ground and Tolerance Oval in the capital.

“It’s a really exciting time,” said men’s team captain Raza.

“These four ODIs can put us in a very good position in the table. Scotland is above us and the US is not far away, so we would really like to get some wins to solidify our place in the top three.

“If we can get four quarters, we will go very well.

“Then the Asian Cup qualifiers and then the World Cup, so it’s a very exciting time to be a cricketer. It’s a great opportunity.”

Aberdeen, where they started their campaign, is the northernmost venue for the UAE to compete in international cricket.

While the UK is in the midst of its hottest summer on record, the current temperatures are a far cry from what the Tour players were seeing when they were training in Dubai.

Wednesday’s forecast points to a high of 23ºC, with little chance of rain.

“I know Scotland is much cooler – but it’s so cold!” said Sharjah-born Raza.

“This is our first time in Scotland since 2016, but it was in Edinburgh [nearly 200km south of Aberdeen]. That’s very different conditions.

“We have enough depth in the squad and it’s a good position. Having a headache with options like we do means you’re doing a good job.

“Remember, the series we finished in the U.S. was excellent [winning matches against both Scotland and United States last time out in Texas] We are well positioned and willing to continue to do so. “

The top three teams from the seven-team competition will advance directly to the World Cup qualifiers.

Oman has completed all 36 matches and is at the top of the table.

Scotland still have 12 games to play, 10 points behind second place.

The UAE have played two games less than Scotland and are eight points behind the hosts.

“Our players and coaching team are still very focused and engaged as we head into a hot and humid summer,” UAE coach Robin Singh said.

“We look forward to this tour and putting into practice the strategy we’ve been developing.”

Updated: August 9, 2022 2:45 am