Khurram Khan, the man who has done more than anyone else to earn the UAE a first World Cup appearance since 1996, was at a loss to describe the feeling after qualification.
The UAE captain has been trying to achieve this goal for 13 years, yet only had pain to show for his efforts – until now.
The 42-year-old all-rounder acknowledged this is his last chance to make an appearance at cricket showpiece competition.
As such, he was overwhelmed by emotion after the 36 run win over Namibia in New Zealand guaranteed the national team a place at next year’s event in Australia and New Zealand.
“I cannot describe how this feels,” said Khurram, who top-scored again for the UAE as well as taking two Namibian wickets.
“For me, I have been part of the team since 2001 and finally, finally doing it, with the help of my team, it is an awesome feeling. I cannot describe my state of mind at the moment.”
More than any other player, Khurram understands the anguish of missing out on qualifying for cricket’s big stage when qualification was within touching distance.
The national team have had an unhappy knack of falling at the final hurdle after trying to earn a return to the competition they have played at just once to date.
They had even missed going directly to this World Cup after finishing one point off automatic qualifying in the two-year long World Cricket League.
Yet they have showed their class during this repechage competition in New Zealand, with only a single loss, in a rain-effected match against Scotland, who they will play in Saturday’s final.
“It is an amazing feeling,” Khurram said. “This time, everyone in this team performed.
“We have always had a spin attack, now we have a seam attack in conditions which are totally different from the UAE.
“It was an amazing, amazing performance. For someone like me, who knew it was the last chance, the last shot I could get at this, I am over the moon.”
The success meant Aaqib Javed, the head coach, has made good on his ambition of helping the UAE qualify for three separate World Cup competitions.
Before next year’s main event in 50 over cricket, he will oversee the UAE’s Under 19 World Cup campaign next month, as well as participation in the World Twenty20 in March.
“The dream has come true,” said Aaqib, who won the World Cup as a player with Pakistan the last time it was played in Australia and New Zealand in 1992.
“This is brilliant. The players have played like true champions.”
Mazhar Khan, the long-serving administator of the Emirates Cricket Board, said qualification was the result of years of toil.
“This has been a dream come true after 18 years of hard work,” Mazhar said.
“It is not just onto one, it is three World Cups. An ultimate success story.”
pradley@thenational.ae
