UAE coach Robin Singh eyes World Cup, praises pacer Junaid Siddique

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UAE head coach Robin Singh. (Photo by Shihab)

Dubai - Another area that the cricket board will work on is age group cricket with the aim of producing quality young players

Rituraj Borkakoty

Published: Mon 8 Feb 2021, 9:51 PM

Last updated: Mon 8 Feb 2021, 10:03 PM

Inspired by the success of the UAE players in the Abu Dhabi T10, head coach Robin Singh has now set his sights on the 2023 World Cup.

Famous for his never-say-die spirit as a player, the former India all-rounder says the UAE players have overcome the ‘fear factor’ with their brave displays in the star-studded T10 tournament and that he has the ‘right ingredients’ at his disposal for a shot at the next 50-over World Cup.

“Our goal is to qualify for the World Cup. I am talking about the 50 overs world Cup,” Singh told reporters at the ICC Cricket Academy on Monday.

“We are in a good space to challenge a lot of international teams. We are not here to compete, we are here to win. We need to focus on being the number one associate country going forward. That’s the first step. Of course, it’s a process. That’s going to take time,” said Singh, while adding that the Emirates Cricket Board would be bringing more 50 overs domestic events in the future.

“In August itself, we have played at least 20 50 overs games. This will continue throughout the year. That’s the only way we can help build the skills,” he said.

“We won’t really build skills in 20 overs that easily. You need to play a longer formats. And maybe in future we can introduce a two-day format. We need to develop the players’ temperament, because these things are not happening in associate countries.”

Another area that the cricket board will work on is age group cricket with the aim of producing quality young players.

Many of the younger UAE players like the 18-year-old batsman Alishan Sharafu and 20-year-old spinner Karthik Meiyappan as well as the senior UAE players like Chirag Suri, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique and the uncapped Waseem Muhammad came up with the impressive displays at the T10.

“These guys have set an example, a benchmark for the other cricketers here in the UAE,” said Singh who also won the third T10 title as a coach, and second with the Northern Warriors, on Saturday.

While Waseem’s stunning knocks for Northern Warriors earned plaudits, Singh revealed why Junaid’s 11 wickets in the tournament for the champions was even more remarkable.

“Junaid, four, five months ago, could not actually walk properly because of a back problem. But he stepped up. So I would say, more than Waseem, Junaid has been our best performer because he had to bowl under tremendous pressure. Nothing to take away from Waseem. But I was very thrilled to see Junaid. He was competing with the big boys,” said Singh while stating the cricket board was also taking steps to develop women’s cricket in the UAE.

“We want to focus a lot on women’s cricket as well. We will try to encourage girls lot more. I think they (the UAE women’s team) can qualify for the World Cup.”