DUBAI // Aaqib Javed has backed Chirag Suri to thrive at the Indian Premier League, comparing the little-known UAE player’s rise to his own emergence from nowhere to play for Pakistan.
Suri, 22, was bought by the Gujarat Lions at the IPL auction in Bengaluru on Monday, and in the process became the first UAE player to be recruited to cricket’s most lucrative league.
His selection was a surprise to many, including the player himself, given he has been on the fringes of a national team that only have meagre exposure at international level.
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Aaqib, who ended a four-year term as UAE coach last year, gave Suri his debut for the UAE when the Dubai-raised batsman was only 18.
The former Pakistan pace bowler, who is back in the UAE as director of the Lahore Qalandars Pakistan Super League franchise, said Suri is a “great talent”.
“He was a young guy with a lot of passion, and he was very aggressive by mindset,” Aaqib said.
“This is what people can see in him, and what the people doing talent identification can foresee.
“When I was 16, nobody knew how good I was. Then Wasim Raja and Imran Khan, they were the people who said, ‘Look, you have a special talent’.
“Chirag was young [when he debuted for the senior team at the World Cup qualifier in 2014], and not able to perform for UAE at that stage, but batting is hard in the UAE.
“You don’t have opportunities. The commercial academies can’t give people the chance to bat for one or two hours at a time.
“My suggestion to him was always, whenever he had time, to go back to India, and play club cricket or whatever cricket was available. He is a great talent, and I am really happy for him.”
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Immediately after watching his lot sold to Gujarat on television at home in Dubai, Suri was reminded of the day, four years ago, that his inspirational coach told him he could one day play in the IPL.
“Aaqib always believed in me,” said Suri, who has yet to play a full one-day or Twenty20 international for the UAE.
“He told me four years ago that I would play in the IPL. I am just remembering what his words were. Four years ago he made us believe in ourselves.”
Aaqib said he feels the prospect of playing in front of packed stadiums in cricket’s most watched T20 league will bring out the best in his former charge.
“I think he has got a special quality, which is great confidence,” Aaqib said of Suri. “He can challenge anyone. He loves challenges.
“I think it will bring out the best in him. He was waiting for this opportunity. He always wanted this for himself one day. His personality is suited to challenges.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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