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UAE out to give their best
Talk of Rahul Dravid, and your eyes light up. Sachin Tendulkar needs no introduction at any function, be it a cricketing one or otherwise. The same could be said of our very own "Murali". It is sufficient to say that he is probably more renowned than some of our politicians. The once burly "Inzi"(Inzamam Ul-Haq) too occupies centre stage on the TV screen. Shoaib Akthar with his horse like mane blowing in the wind is one familiar sight. But talk of Khurram Khan. Eh who? Is he from Pakistan or Bangladeshi? No. He is the skipper of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) team that is here for the Asia Cup.

The task assigned to us at the Sunday Times Sports Desk was to interview the UAE team. Sitting rather unobstrusively beside the SSC nets watching his boys in action was Abdul Razzaq Kazim, the Manager and Chief Selector of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Cricket Board, whose UAE team is looking to consolidate their position in World Cricket at the Asia Cup Tournament. The obliging Manager, who incidentally was the first coach of the UAE, was very accommodating and was ever willing to talk even though he was preparing to leave for Dambulla where the UAE team will be involved in their matches with Sri Lanka and India in Phase One of the Tournament.

"We were rather disappointed that we have been placed in a difficult group being challenged by India and Sri Lanka, but that does not deter us from giving of our best. We have come to give some exposure to our players but at the same time we are not here for a joy ride. We have seven all-rounders in our side, with five spinners and three pacies or the fast to medium- fast bowlers. Our spinners are rather on the young side. Another policy is that we are trying to give the youngsters a chance in the team. Two of them, namely Ramveera Ahmed (left arm spin) and Mohamed Fouad are around 16 to 17 years of age," said the Manager. "We started playing 10 years ago in 1994 and it is creditable that we have come this far.

Q: Could you describe the composition of your team?
A: "On this tour we have 5 spinners and 3 pacies and seven all-rounders. The pace- bowlers are Ali Asad Abbas (right arm fast) and Asim Saeed, who is also the opening bat as well. The wicket 'keeping is in the safe hands of Abdul Rehman with Asghar Ali Khan as the reserve "gloves man".

Q: What would you describe as your strength? Is it in your bowling or batting?
A :There is no special emphasis on either. As I said we have seven all-rounders.

Q: You are pitted in a strong group with two top teams in India and Sri Lanka. How are going to cope with playing these teams and what is you strategy?
A: Yes, it is true that we are pitted in a tough group in the first phase. The first match (on July 16, the first day of the Tournament) is against India. For example, I expected that Bangladesh should have been in our group, rather than facing two of the "Giants" of Asian cricket. However, we are not scared of big names. We will play each ball as it comes and consider every batsman on that day as good or bad. Players have their good days and bad days.

Q: What about playing at Dambulla? Do you think that your boys can adapt to this ground?
A: Dambulla at this stage is an unknown entity as far as a cricketing venue is concerned.

Q: How have you adapted to playing under lights?
A: We have adapted quite well under lights and should be OK at Dambulla, but as I said the ground is still an unknown quantity.

Q: Which team would you consider the weaker of the two, India or Sri Lanka?
A: Both teams are equally strong in my opinion. It is difficult to say which is the stronger of the two. We are involved in one of the two games that are classified as "curtain raisers" on the opening day (July 16). Then on the following day Saturday, July 17 we play Sri Lanka at the same venue. These are two back-to back games against tough teams.

Q: You have brought 14 players on this Tour? Do you think its is sufficient?
A: In actual fact we being one of the minnows in this Tournament would struggle if one or two of our more experienced players get injured. We would have preferred to have about 16 but as per Tournament regulations it has been stipulated that only 14 could be in the squad.

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