Expatriates should be allowed to represent UAE team on International level: Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia

TAUQIR ZIA

United Arab Emirates has played a vital role in the popularisation of the game in the Arab world states. Lt. Genereal Tauqir Zia, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Lt. Gen. Zia was in Sharjah to attend the meeting of the Asian Cricket Foundation recently. He took time off from his busy schedule to speak to Syed Shahzad Afzal of UAEcricket.com on the Asian Cricket Foundation (ACF) plans in the near future.

Lt. Gen. Zia was also of the opinion that expatriates should be allowed to represent the country at international level tournaments as well, regardless of the stipulations and rules floated by the ICC.

What do you foresee the future of Expats representing UAE cricket team? What plans do you have in this regard?

When we talk about the future of cricket in UAE, there are two aspects of cricket: one is that more cricket is played by expats and the other one is local cricketers who are either nationals or born here. If ECB wants to build up their local base, it will take time and it will depend on ECB for grooming and promoting cricket in UAE. What I know is that expats started the build-up of the game here but because of the ICC rules, Expats are not allowed to represent UAE team. However, I am not a pessimist and we will have to sort out the rules and regulations and as to what should be laid down limit for expats who have settled here.

I have asked them to take up this matter in the next ICC meeting and I will definitely speak on UAE's behalf to accommodate Expats in the national team. But my mandate is very clear and we will fight the case of expats. Whether ICC agrees to it or not will depend on with what enthusiasm we go in to it.

When you talk of cricket promotion in this part of the world with expatriates not allowed to play for UAE team, do you think you will be able to achieve that. I think it would be difficult. As I said if you rely on locals then it may take a decade but the expats must be allowed to play. That is what we are going to fight at ICC.

Speaking of UAE, they lifted the ICC tournament in Kenya and now they will play in the ACF Trophy in November. How do you see their chance of winning the ACF Trophy?

Well the UAE team consists of young talented boys. The other day I saw Saeed Al Saffar playing and I was really impressed to see his talent. Though they are not experienced but I think that they are quite capable of performing better. However, they need more exposure so that they could improve their skills and can play more competitive cricket.

What do you say of ECB playing matches with different junior teams from different countries inorder to improve?

Oh Yes, why not? This is the best way to improve. Inorder to play good cricket they have to go out or other teams coming in to play with the National team. It is only such type of matches, which will tell you where you stand in world cricket. We have already planned about this in the meeting but matches with 'A' teams of different countries are possible now as National teams are already committed and if ECB is interested then we are ready to send our junior teams any time.

Do you think ECB should focus more on the aspect of coaching their young talent?

The only thing that is missing is lack of coaching. ECB is not being able to find proper coaches, first they had Mushtaq Mohammed and now they Naveed Anjum for six months. In my opinion they need more than one coach, they should have 3-4 coaches for batting, bowling and fielding inorder to improve overall. There will be a tremendous improvement in their game as well their approach when they play in the ACF Trophy.

Speaking on more matches, what do you think of the UAE team participating in domestic tournaments in Pakistan?

It is only possible if I extend my season to 12 months and we have started building up grounds in Abbotabad, Murree and Quetta. Once I extend these facilities elsewhere and the season to 12 months then I can think of inviting cricket teams to come and play in domestic tournaments. But it's a very good idea, we never thought of it and I will convey this aspect of development of cricket to our board and get one or two teams on regular intervals into our domestic season.

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Wednesday, October 11, 2000.
source : UAEcricket.com.

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