There was a sure sign in New Zealand yesterday that the UAE are on the verge of the big stage in cricket again: Amjad Ali was in the runs.
The Pakistan-born wicketkeeper-batsman has been out of the national team for far more time than he has been in it over recent years.
When he does perform, though, he tends to steal the show. He was the shining light in a tournament of otherwise lean pickings for the UAE when they played against the continent’s finest Test sides at the Asia Cup in 2008.
Opening the batting against Sri Lanka in his native Lahore live on television across Asia, he hit a thrilling, even-time 77.
His highlights reel mostly has been on pause since, but with a place at next year’s World Cup to play for this month he seems ready to impress again.
The free-scoring left-hander struck 11 fours in his innings of 70, which laid the platform for the UAE’s six wicket win over the Netherlands yesterday.
The victory would have been a significant morale booster for the national team in their final warm-up match ahead of the World Cup qualifier, which starts against Nepal tomorrow.
The Netherlands are the pick of most observers as the side to beat at the 10-team competition, from which the final two qualifiers for the 2015 World Cup will advance.
Even more than Amjad’s effort with the bat, the UAE, who are usually reliant on spin-bowlers, will be cheered by the form of their pace attack.
Mohammed Naveed, Manjula Guruge and Amjad Javed were all in the wickets, before the national team chased the 190 required to win with nearly 10 overs to spare.
pradley@thenational.ae
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