UAE's T20 World Cup Campaign: A Step Forward for Emerging Cricket Nation
JAIPUR: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) cricket team, the last qualifier for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, demonstrated significant progress before exiting in the group stage of the tournament. Returning after missing the 2024 T20 edition, the Muhammad Waseem-led squad secured a notable five-wicket victory over Canada and nearly upset higher-ranked Afghanistan, showcasing their potential on the global stage.
Manpreet Sidhu Reflects on Team's Performance and Challenges
Manpreet Sidhu, the performance analyst coach for the UAE team, expressed satisfaction with the campaign while acknowledging areas for improvement. In an interview on Tuesday, he emphasized the valuable experience gained by the players.
"Overall, it was a fruitful campaign for us. We performed well but could have achieved more with a bit of luck. This tournament served as a crucial learning curve for all the players. Facing three Test-playing nations in the group stage was the most challenging aspect, providing invaluable exposure," Sidhu stated.
The former Madhya Pradesh junior cricketer, who has been with the UAE team since 2024, highlighted the team's composition and key moments.
"Except for captain Muhammad Waseem, Alishan Sharafu, and Junaid Siddiqui, all other 12 members were participating in their maiden T20 World Cup. Most had never competed on such a grand stage before, yet the youngsters gave their absolute best. The victory over Canada was a magical highlight that boosted team morale," he added.
Future Prospects and Development for UAE Cricket
Sidhu, who also serves as a fielding coach when needed, believes this T20 World Cup experience will significantly benefit the team's future growth. He outlined his role and the broader context of cricket in the UAE.
"My primary responsibility is to provide optimal inputs, including video footage of our players and opposition teams. Effective coordination with head coach Lalchand Rajput is essential for success. As an ICC Associate team, cricket opportunities in the UAE are limited, with most competitions being white-ball tournaments. Many of our players gain exposure by participating in leagues worldwide, which enhances their skills and experience," Sidhu explained.
This campaign underscores the UAE's evolving presence in international cricket, with the team leveraging global exposure to compete against established cricketing nations. The insights from Sidhu and the players' performances suggest a promising trajectory for future tournaments.
