Anwar, who hit seven sixes in an over makes UAE debut

Shaiman Anwar, who has been the most destructive batsman on the domestic cricket circuit since arriving from his native Pakistan, has been called up to the full UAE squad for the first time.

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Shaiman Anwar, who has been the most destructive batsman on the domestic cricket circuit since arriving from his native Pakistan, has been called up to the full UAE squad for the first time.

The Sialkot-born batsman has been picked in the extended 18-man squad for the four-day Intercontinental Shield final against Namibia, which starts in Dubai on December 2.

Anwar wrote his name into local cricket legend in 2008 when he hit seven sixes in one over (one from a no ball) while playing for Consolidated Shipping Services in a Twenty20 tournament in Al Dhaid.

His 107 off 37 balls that evening was one of a series of knocks he has played since coming to the UAE that have been eye-catchingly belligerent.

It was only a matter of time before he was called into the full national team: now his four-year residency qualification is completed, he is free to play.

Anwar's elevation is a boost for Kabir Khan, the new coach of the national team, who is keen to increase the senior player pool.

The Shield final will be Kabir's first assignment since he returned to the Emirates to take over from Colin Wells as coach.

"The team was already in the final before I took over, so my job starts now," Kabir said.

"The morale of our boys will be high because we beat Namibia in their conditions in the league round. It will be at the back of the mind and will have an effect when we play them in the final."

Khurram Khan will return to captain the side after missing the recent tour of Kenya because of work commitments.

UAE squad

Khurram Khan (captain), Mohammed Tauqir, Abdul Rehman, Arshad Ali, Ahmed Raza, Saqib Ali, Amjad Ali, Swapnil Patil, Naeemuddin Aslam, Qasim Zubair, Amjad Javed, Shoaib Sarwar, Shaiman Anwar, Aamer Ali, Nigel Fernandes, Arfan Haider, Riyaz Khaliq, Manjula Guruge