Emirati player Fahad Alhashmi will be given an opportunity to impress the selectors when the UAE host Afghanistan in a four-match ODI series beginning on Friday.
The medium fast-bowler has been in international exile having not pulled on a UAE shirt since February 2010.
-UAE coach Aaqib Javed hopes Afghans will provide good World Cup warm-up
But the 32-year-old has been in impressive form for his domestic club Dubai-based Farooq CC this season.
And having watched him in action, the UAE coach Aaqib Javed felt it was time for him to have another crack at the international stage at the ICC Academy.
“Alhashmi has been playing very well in the domestic games,” said Javed. “He is good with the ball and has some variations. He’s a dangerous bowler and can cause the batsmen a lot of problems.”
And with a few weeks to go until the World Cup next year, Javed said there’s still time for him to be considered for selection.
He said: “It’s about giving an opportunity. I know he’s been away from the international scene but I think he’ll be ready for this. Alhashmi has been training with us for some weeks and is very enthusiastic and ready to give his best.
“It’s too early to say whether he could make it to the World Cup squad so I want to see what he can do during this one-day series.”
Javed has had plenty of time to examine his players with the UAE holding an extensive training camp in Dubai ahead of the World Cup.
Although the team lost to Pakistan and New Zealand A teams, he’s satisfied with the performance of the players and singled out top-order batsman Andri Berenger and all-rounder Krishna Karate for their efforts.
“Krishna (Karate) has come up in a big way after scoring a half-cent-ury (51) against New Zealand ‘A’, and striking two fifties against Pakistan ‘A’ teams,” said Javed.
“He’s a real talent with the bat which is good to see and is definitely capable of scoring some big runs.”
“Berenger has shown a lot of promise with the bat and is a real gem. He can play very good shots and that helps the team overall.”
Keeping faith with the same squad that played against New Zealand ‘A’, Javed revealed captain Khurram Khan could miss some matches due to work commitments, but expects Afghanistan to be difficult opposition.
He said: “Their fast-bowling unit is very dangerous but we have enough experience in our batting line-up to cope with that.
“We are slight favourites because we’re more used to the conditions but there’s not much difference between the two sides.”