IPL 7 has been a big boost for UAE cricket - coach Aaqib Javed

UAE team having a practice game with Mumbai Indians (Image Courtesy Mumbai Indians)

The moving of IPL 7 to Dubai (UAE) due to the ongoing general elections in India has been a blessing for the UAE cricket team. IPL has been a great learning opportunity for UAE players.

“It was a huge learning curve for the boys practising with the IPL teams with some big names in there. Where will you get such an opportunity to meet the stars and rub shoulders with them. The boys were all excited and made the most of the opportunity. There was a lot to learn for them from the way these teams trained,” UAE cricket coach Aaqib Javed told Gulf News.

The local boys had a chance to learn from the IPL teams during the course of practice matches that were conducted for the franchises’ training.

“We managed to train together with several teams, at times, like with Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians. We played practice matches with them as well. I’m sure it will be of great help to the boys,” Javed added.

IPL is one platform where world famous cricket stars interact with each other. A report claims that the UAE team had a reciprocal session with some of the big cricketing giants such as Daniel Vettori, John Wright, Muttiah Muralitharan to name a few.

“Speaking to these legends of the game can inspire anyone and I’m sure this will help the boys to do well in the upcoming tournament. There are six teams in the tournament and we would like to qualify for the next stage which will be a two-day affair. This tournament will give the boys a feel of the longer version of the game. So, we are keen to do well,” the coach said.

The team is programmed to play Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Nepal and Oman in the ACC premier league in Malaysia starting from May 2.