DUBAI // Aaqib Javed has confirmed he will leave the job of UAE coach at the end of next month to move back to Pakistan.
The exact nature of his next assignment is still to be confirmed. He is likely to be announced as the director of cricket at Lahore Qalanders, the side who finished last in the first Pakistan Super League, next week.
However, there is still the possibility of him landing the position of Pakistan coach, as he remains the favoured candidate to replace Waqar Younis among some senior figures within the Pakistan board.
Aaqib leaves the UAE as the country’s most successful coach yet. In four years at the helm, he has overseen a total transformation of the game here.
On his watch, the national team have gone from underachieving amateurs to one that has played at two global tournaments, as well as competing with the continent’s elite in the Asia Cup.
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“I think I have done a reasonably good job and achieved all the goals from Under 19 to Twenty20 to 50 overs, getting ODI status and with the recent Asia Cup performance,” Aaqib said.
“I think we have had a good run, and I am going to miss all my boys. I have learnt a lot. As coach, this place is really promising.
“There is a different culture of players, Sri Lankans, Pakistanis and Indians. When you join Associate teams, it is always a challenge.
“I would suggest to every coach who wants to gain experience, this is a nice place to come and learn.”
David East, the Emirates Cricket Board chief executive, said UAE cricket is grateful for the contribution the departing coach has made.
“He has been integral to Emirates Cricket senior men’s appearance on the international stage at four high profile ACC and ICC tournaments, as well as our senior men’s securing ODI and T20I status,” East said.
“We sincerely thank Aaqib for his commitment and efforts and wish him the very best with his future endeavours.”
Aaqib said attaining full one-day international status, at the qualification competition ahead of the 2014 World Cup, was his finest achievement in his time in the job, and a watershed moment for the game in the UAE.
“Qualifying for the World Cup is a big achievement, but once you have ODI status for four years, it actually matters to any team,” he said. “That was a great, great moment.”
Even though he will be leaving them, Aaqib might still yet be able to positively influence the careers of the national team’s players.
He has regularly touted the merits of his players, saying the likes of Mohammed Naveed, for example, are capable of holding down places in sides playing in lucrative T20 leagues.
If he does take up the job with Qalanders, part of the remit is player recruitment, and he says he would be happy to return to the UAE for new signings for the PSL.
The high regard in which Aaqib holds the UAE players is certainly reciprocated. Many credit him for all the success they have had in the game, and whoever replaces him will have substantial boots to fill.
He told the players earlier this week of his intention to leave. Ahmed Raza, the UAE captain, said the news was not a shock, given the speculation linking him to the Pakistan job, but that it was still met with great disappointment.
“It is very sad news for us, but a move forward for him in his career which I’m very happy about,” said Raza, who is one of the players Aaqib believes is worthy of a PSL contract.
[ pradley@thenational.ae ]
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