(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) As part of ICCs High Performance Programme UAE have already played six matches in Perth and Darwin last month.
Dubai: The UAE cricket team which secured their ICC World Cup 2015 berth after a gap of 18 years are geared up to the challenge of facing Pakistan ‘A’ team in five matches at the ICC Cricket Academy grounds fromOctober 22.
The other matches are scheduled to be held onOctober 24 26 28 and 30.
“We are playing five games against Pakistan ‘A’ team. We’ll also play two matches against Afghanistan in December. These matches will help us prepare well for our World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand next year” UAE coach Aaqib Javed told Khaleej Timeson Wednesday.
The UAE had previously appeared in the 1996 World Cup staged in India Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
While talking about the team composition Javed said: “It hasn’t been finalised yet. We have a pool of 30 players and we want to give chances to all of our top 20 players so that we could finalise the best squad for the World Cup.”
Javed was a member of the Pakistan side that won the ICC Cricket World Cup when it was last held in Australia and New Zealand in 1992 as well as the 1996 squad.
As part of ICC’s High Performance Programme UAE have already played six matches in Perth and Darwin last month.
“We went to Australia with 15 players and it was a good experience for all the players and they had an opportunity to get used with the conditions there.” Javed said the pitches at the ICC Academy would offer a lot of bounce for the pacers.
“We are playing at the ICC Cricket Academy grounds where the wickets are similar to the Australian ones offering pace and bounce.
It would be an ideal preparation facing some quality pacers from Pakistan side. It would be a big challenge for our batsmen facing quality pacers. We are looking forward to the challenge.” UAE gained ODI status this year following their performance at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand.
Meanwhile ECB administrator thanked Pakistan Cricket Board for allotting five matches for the UAE team as part of their preparations for the World Cup.
The UAE clinched the fourth and final qualification spot at the World Cup 2015 through a qualifying event.
The team is placed at Pool B along with defending champion India qualifier Ireland 1992 champion Pakistan South Africa two-time champion West Indies and Zimbabwe.
The UAE will open their campaign against Zimbabwe at Saxton Oval Nelson onFebruary 19before taking on Ireland at the Gabba on February 25. They will face India in the third match in Perth. In 1994 the UAE won the ICC Trophy on debut at Kenya to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 1996. It has been a long time but the sport is set to take another leap with participation in the high profile cricket championship — World Cup — next year in Australia and New Zealand.
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