DUBAI // It says much about the contrasting status of cricketers at the Asia Cup that the UAE players probably packed their autograph books alongside their bats and pads ahead of their first two matches. And, for many of them, their homework books, too.
It is fair to say a large slice of awe was floating around the dressing room of the host nation when they faced India, in particular, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
“It looks like lots of people have come to support Sanju Samson,” Justin James, the UAE spinner, said as he patrolled the boundary hoping to catch the Indian Premier League star during the Asia Cup opener.
Maybe so. In truth, though, the UAE were far better supported than either of their conquerors, India and Pakistan, in their first two pool defeats. That is not a regular occurrence in these parts. And the players themselves should be buoyed by how they fared. Although the team suffered landslide defeats in both games, they were not embarrassed.
Now they have a chance to vent their frustrations on non-Test playing opposition when they face Nepal on Tuesday.
For Chirag Suri, the UAE opener, it provides another opportunity for time at the crease before he joins up with the senior squad for their tour to New Zealand in January.
More than anyone else, Suri has impressed against celebrated opposition so far in this tournament, which endorses the view he is ready for senior cricket now.
“I want to keep learning and improving on a few specific areas,” said the India-born batsman, who is part of the national squad vying for World Cup qualification next month. “We have been in good positions against India and Pakistan, got the starts and then collapsed, so we definitely know we can do it.
“We need to push on from here and give it our all against Nepal.”
pradley@thenational.ae
