Coach Aaqib Javed insists UAE are not going to just make up the numbers at the upcoming World Cup but make a strong statement of their abilities.

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UAE, playing in the World Cup after 19 years, are placed in a strong pool comprising defending champions India, former champions Pakistan and West Indies, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ireland.

The 42-year-old Javed is unfazed at the task ahead and feels his 15-member squad are “well prepared” to meet the challenge. “We are not going there to just participate in a World Cup. We are eager to show we are a strong and fit team  full of skills,” he said.

“The players are excited about the prospect of facing the top teams at the World Cup and they have the ability, potential and the mindset to take on tough opponents.”

The former Pakistan seam bowler expressed his satisfaction at the UAE team’s progress since he came in as coach, three years ago. “It was not an ideal situation when I took charge as the team did not think they were a professional side,” he recalled.

“I had to make a start somewhere and decided to work hard myself and inspire them. The boys have responded really well and I can say now that they are a professional side.  They have worked extremely hard and I am encouraged by their progress in overall fitness, skill and confidence,” he said.

Under Javed, UAE qualified for the World Twenty20 last March for the first time before making the cut in the 50-over World Cup. Having been part of a World Cup winning team with Pakistan in 1992, Javed’s experience should come in handy.

UAE have also been encouraged by their trip Down Under as part of the International Cricket Council’s High Performance Programme four months ago where they played against the Australian domestic teams.

Their first one-day international series victory against Afghanistan in Dubai last month was another shot in the arm. UAE won the first game by six wickets, lost the second by two wickets before bouncing back to clinch the series with a 30-run win in the final match.

UAE won only two out of their six games during the HPP tour but batting coach Mudassar Nazar believes it was a learning experience and will help them in the big games next month. The former Pakistan opener who is also the head of development at the ICC Academy in Dubai, is confident that UAE “will do well” at the World Cup.

“Everything has come to form,” he said. “We have prepared well by practicing on Australian-type pitches at the ICC Academy. Our batsmen have chased big totals and set big targets (during the Afghanistan series),” he added.

The UAE cricket team received a big boost in their build-up to their World Cup as leading broadcasters of the region, OSN, renewed their association with the team. 

Under the extended partnership with the Emirates Cricket Board, OSN’s support will also cover the UAE under-19, under-16 boys and women’s teams.

David East, Emirates Cricket Board chief, expressed his “delight” at the renewed association and felt it is a huge motivation for the team.

“They have made strong progress following the qualifiers and they are aware of the tough task ahead. The support of OSN comes as a strong motivation for the team as they know their performance reaches their fans and friends in the UAE through a seamless live telecast. The support from the region is their inspiration to deliver their best.”

David Butorac, CEO of OSN said: “The extended partnership to the UAE national cricket teams underlines our commitment to nurturing and promoting national talent.

“OSN is not only focused on bringing high quality telecast of all leading international matches but also in creating  a tangible platform to celebrate the next generation of players in the UAE and the region,” he added.

UAE head to Australia on January 29 and play their first World Cup match on February 19 against Zimbabwe.