Coach Robin Singh explains UAE captain transition

For the first time since the surprise decision to replace Ahmed Raza as Emirates captain two months ago, coach Robin Singh has clarified why.

Raza coaching the national team T20 World Cup Qualification, through the tournament in Muscat in February. He captained the team for three years since the 2019 World Cup qualifiers before being replaced by CP Rizwan in August.

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Raza played in 53 of the UAE’s first 61 T20 internationals. He has only played one of six games since he was replaced as captain, against Kuwait.

The UAE have lost five of those games, two to Bangladesh and one to Kuwait, Hong Kong and the Netherlands.

Initially, the decision was explained in a press release as part of a “robust leadership succession plan.”

However, Singh said the decision was made on the basis that Raza was no longer guaranteed a place in the first XI.

“I think we need to see who can make the team first,” Singh told a news conference ahead of the UAE-Sri Lanka match at the T20 World Cup in Geelong.

“In my opinion, I don’t think it’s the right forum. Having said that, I think it’s important to understand that when we change captains, we change for some reason and that’s a decision the board has made.

“We wanted someone we thought could actually start in the game.”

Left-arm spinner Raza is part of Australia’s squad but does not start for UAE Opening night loss to the Netherlands.

The spin berth was filled by leg spinner Karthik Meiyappan and all-rounders Basil Hameed and Aayan Khan.

If the national team is to have a chance of qualifying for the next stage of the World Cup, it needs to take the biggest scalp in team history.

Beating the Netherlands means Tuesday’s game against Sri Lanka at Cardinha Park – Sri Lanka Opener loss to Namibia – It is a game that both sides must win.

“I think we really have no choice,” Singer said. “These are the games we look forward to playing. This is the first time we have played Sri Lanka in a long time.

“I think in these games you have to see opportunities. Of course, the UAE has played in the World Cup before, but I think it’s a fresh competition, different conditions, different positions, different circumstances.

“It’s one of those games that we need to win, just like Sri Lanka. I think we have to understand it’s just another game. They were beaten by Namibia and they can be beaten.”

Updated: October 17, 2022 at 6:00 am