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Dubai: The 15-member UAE team, led by Saqib Ali, left for Lahore on Saturday to play in the Asia Cup commencing from June 24.
The team members were presented their caps by Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, the vice president of the Emirates Cricket Board at a colourful ceremony at Jumeirah Plaza on Friday evening.
"We should focus to beat Bangladesh in the first match. We have beaten them before they became a Test playing nation and so we should try and do it again," remarked Falaknaz.
As a boost to get the best out of the players, Falaknaz announced cash awards for the top performers of the tournament.
"Anyone scoring a century or taking five wickets will be presented Dh 1500 while any batsman scoring a half century can pocket Dh 750," he said.
Exposure
Falaknaz also announced a reward of $25,000 for the members of the UAE team that won the ACC Trophy in 2006. It was this victory that helped UAE qualify for the Asia Cup.
Arshad Ali, Khurram Khan and Mohammad Tauqir were members of the UAE team that won the ACC Trophy. They are also in the UAE squad for the Asia Cup. The Emirates Cricket Board also announced $25,000 for the Asia Cup team.
Falaknaz urged the players to play all the matches according to the spirit of the game. "All decisions of the umpires should be accepted with no disrespect and should behave as cricketers on and off the field."
Later speaking to Gulf News, Falaknaz said: "This opportunity to play in the Asia Cup will boost cricket in the UAE. Through hard work we have once again won a place in the biggest Asian tournament. This exposure will go a long way."
Falaknaz also reminded that cricket is set for more glory in the UAE.
"The game will get further boost with the completion of the Dubai Sports City cricket stadium by September. We will soon see international matches being held in Dubai from March next year," said Falaknaz, who is also the chairman of the Dubai Cricket Council.
Mohammad Redha Abbas, the executive member of the ECB said that the players can gain a lot of confidence by playing in such a big tournament.
UAE team selector Zain Ghazali expressed his confidence that the players can put up a good show.
Mazhar Khan, the administrator of the ECB, is the manager of the team.
"We will be competing against experienced teams but we will try and give our best," he said.
AT A GLANCE*UAE qualified for the Asia Cup by becoming the champions of the Asian Cricket Council Trophy in 2006* The Asia Cup teams are divided into two groups. UAE is in Group A with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Group B comprise India, Pakistan and Hong Kong.* The UAE team is made up of four UAE nationals, seven Pakistanis, two Indians and two Sri Lankans. * Five players qualified for the UAE team as they have been residents of UAE for over seven years and four players qualified as they have been living in UAE for over four years.* Mohammad Aman Ali and Amjad Javed are Pakistanis but born in UAE.* The UAE team is coached by former West Indian star Vasbert Drakes* June 24: UAE vs Bangladesh at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (day-night)* June 26: UAE vs Sri Lanka at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (day-night).*June 28: UAE will fly to Karachi if they qualify for the Super 4's.
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