The UAE cricket team qualified for the 2025 Asia Cup, a tournament they will be participating in after nine long years, following a 55-run win over Oman.
Dubai Captain Mohammed Waseem, batsman Alishan Sharaf, pacer Junaid Siddique and other cricketers have played key roles in UAE cricket team qualifying for the 2025 Asian Cup for the first time in nine years. expressed his joy.
UAE team captain and skipper Waseem explained that the exposure they gained at DP World ILT20 was crucial to their performance. “It’s an incredible feeling to be playing in the Asia Cup,” he said.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old young batsman Sharaf said, “It was a great team performance. I’m happy to be able to contribute with the bat.”
Pacer Siddique said, “I’m really happy with the good performance.”
The United Arab Emirates cricket team qualified for the 2025 Asia Cup tournament for the first time in nine years with a 55-run victory over Oman in the ACC men’s final. Premier Cup on Sunday.
Their victory was further boosted by Waseem Sharaf leading the bowling attack ahead of pacer Siddique accompanied by Ayan Afzal Khan and contributing to UAE’s final victory.
Waseem scored a 56-ball century and with good support from opening partner Sharaf, contributed 34 runs to the opening stand of 94.
After scoring 204 for 38 runs in 4 overs, Siddique took 3 wickets and Khan finished with figures of 2 for 29 wickets, limiting Oman to 149-9 in 20 overs, a revenge for their early performance against Oman. fulfilled. The state of the tournament.
Sharaf, who became the tournament’s top run-getter with 278 runs in six innings, has continued his good form since the DP World ILT20 earlier this year and played a key role in Sharjah Warriors’ qualification for the playoffs. I played.
Sharaf, who scored a high score of 163.52 and 90* in UAE’s opening game against Kuwait, made the most of his opportunity with the UAE senior national team and distinguished himself at the international level at the ACC Premier Cup. Team secures qualification for 2025 Asia Cup
“Playing against some of the best bowlers in world cricket at DP World ILT20 gave me a lot of confidence,” Sharaf said.
According to the 21-year-old, this exposure is crucial and they are doing well under new coach Lalchand Rajput.
Waseem ended the ACC Premier Cup just nine runs behind his opening partner, leading his team by example.
It hasn’t been too long since Waseem lit up the DP World ILT20 2024, where he set the tone at the top for his team, the MI Emirates, who won the championship.
“Playing alongside the best cricketers in the world is a big factor in improving our individual performances as well as a team. I think we are adapting to playing under pressure very well after our experience in these leagues,” said Waseem.
A 24-ball-43 in the DP World ILT20 Final against Dubai Capitals earlier this year and now a century while steering his team to a huge total in the ACC Premier Cup Final proved that Waseem is a big-match player.
“This is the first time in nearly a decade that UAE will be playing this prestigious tournament, and the team is ecstatic,” added the 30-year-old.
Impressive at the ACC Premier Cup was another youngster who turned heads at the DP World ILT20 2024 while representing the Gulf Giants. Left-arm spinner Khan continued to spin webs around the batters as he consistently picked up wickets for the UAE senior team including figures of two for 29 in the all-important final against Oman.
With ten wickets in six innings, Aayan picked up ten wickets to finish as his team’s highest wicket taker as well as the second highest wicket taker of the tournament overall.
“I have gained a lot of confidence after my recent experience at the DP World ILT20 where I got to watch and learn from some of the best bowlers in the world. For a youngster like me, exposure like this definitely helps in improving my own performance,” said Khan.
Meanwhile, Siddique picked up six wickets in the five games he played for UAE and was their best bowler in the ACC Premier Cup final.
“Though I did not get too many matches at the DP World ILT20 this year, sharing the dressing room with some of the cricket greats and watching them closely did help me. I am motivated even more to perform well for UAE and showcase my potential,” Siddique said.