Published: Feb 27, 2015, 03:20 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 27, 2015, 07:34 PM (IST)
As United Arab Emirates (UAE) prepare for their ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 clash against India at the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA), Mudassar Nazar, the former Pakistan player, kept a close eye on his team. Mudassar is now a batting consultant with UAE and is guiding them through the World Cup with the coach Aaqib Javed. Nishad Pai Vaidya caught up with Mudassar at the WACA.
Mudassar Nazar is now a batting consultant with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As the UAE team members warmed up on the outfield at the WACA, Perth in the lead-up to their ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 clash against India, Mudassar walked around the arena a few times. When the team moved to the nets, he was around for the players, passing on his valuable tips and suggestions along with the coach Aaqib Javed. UAE have lost both their games in the World Cup so far, but have given enough reasons for optimism as they could have won on both occasions.
Mudassar is happy with the performances so far. Speaking to CricketCountry, he said, “So far, they have made steady progress, not only in this tournament, but throughout the last six months. They have been playing reasonable cricket, a lot of the times outstanding as well. They came here and have given a good account of themselves. Back in Dubai, they played the Pakistan A side. Their performance has been going upwards and is progressive. This tournament, so far, they have given tough games to the opposition. Unfortunately, we could have won either of them, especially the last one, but wasn’t to be.” ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE
So far, UAE have played Zimbabwe and Ireland, who are certainly not the strongest teams in Cricket World Cup 2015. India will bring a bigger test for them in this game. However, UAE are not overawed by the challenge; you can sense that by the way Mudassar talks about their positive intent. “They will go into the next game against India in the same mode and try and outdo India and be aggressive. We hope the third game is close like the first two and hopefully, they turn the tables,” he said.
Mudassar is an experienced coach post retirement and has had stints with the Pakistan team. Having worked with professional cricketers, Mudassar would have had to tune his approach while coaching some of the amateurs in the UAE team. After all, cricket is not their main activity as they earn a living from their day to day jobs. Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Speaking about the change in approach, Mudassar said, “Of course it changes. Obviously, it is not perhaps the same intensity. The intensity could be same but the expectations are not same as when you coach say Misbah (ul-Haq) or Younis (Khan) or an Indian team. There are certain limitations, but rest assured they are trying their best and trying to improve their performances every single time. That is what you are exactly looking for when you are a coach.” Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
It has taken UAE 19 years to get back to the World Cup and they have made heartening progress so far. In the years ahead, the aim will be to move even higher. “You can look forward to more positive performances. As I have seen in the last six years, cricket has improved in UAE. More grounds and school children are playing cricket. It augurs well for UAE,” Mudassar said. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS
Also, this is not only about UAE, but the other Associates as well, who face the prospect of a World Cup with only 10 teams, thereby taking away the opportunity from the smaller sides. There is a clamour that supports the inclusion of the minnows in the big event as they have performed well in this tournament so far. “We would like to continue to do well in these tournaments, especially this one and make a strong enough case for the ICC to revisit that,” Mudassar said. So far, UAE have done well. A good performance against India would only strengthen their case and that of the other Associates. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)
