The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the UAE’s 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, with veteran Emirati Mohammed Tauqir named captain.
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Tauqir, 43, will lead the side in Australia and New Zealand next month, with fellow veteran Khurram Khan his vice captain.
“A solid middle-order batsman and a right-arm offspinner, Tauqir has been an outstanding performer in the UAE’s World Cup preparations, showing positive development in both skill and fitness,” a statement from the ECB said.
“The ECB sees Tauqir’s appointment as a great opportunity to promote and showcase Emirati leadership and playing skills on the international sporting stage, and at the same time aims to raise the profile of the sport within the Emirati community.
“The decision also intends to highlight that indigenous players are integral to the future sustainability of the sport.”
Tauqir has a decade-long history with UAE Cricket at both domestic and international levels and has been a previous captain of the national team. He has represented the UAE in 50 international matches, including 5 ODI’s; against Afghanistan (1), Bangladesh (1), India (1) and Sri Lanka (2). On his ODI debut, in the 2004 Asia Cup against India (at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium) he scored a strong 55 runs off 73 balls (SR 75.34), and took 1 wicket for 46 runs from his allotted 10-overs.
The UAE begin their ICC Cricket World Cup campaign against Zimbabwe in Nelson on February 19, before taking on Ireland, India, Pakistan, South Africa and the West Indies in their other group fixtures.
UAE squad to compete at ICC CWC:
Mohammed Tauqir (Captain)
Khurram Khan (Vice Captain)
Swapnil Patil
Saqlain Haider
Amjad Javed
Shaiman Anwar
Amjad Ali
Nasir Aziz
Rohan Mustafa
Manjula Guruge
Andri Raffaelo Berenger
Fahad Al Hashmi
Muhammad Naveed
Kamran Shahzad
K Karate