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MCC-Zayed Cricket Academy to play in England

The 19-member squad will depart on Friday for the week-long competition featuring six top junior teams.

This is the second time the academy based in Abu Dhabi is undertaking this tour which will see them playing five 40-over-a-side matches in as many days from Monday.

The side will be led by Bilal Passela, a top order batsman and a useful off-spinner, and one of four players, who took part in the tournament last year. Mohammed Riyan, a diminutive opening batsman, seam bowler Mafaz bin Ahsan and all-rounder Amri Mohideen are the others with experience in the team.

The Academy had an outstanding tournament in their maiden appearance in last year’s tournament, winning three matches, and losing only to hosts Sussex, who emerged unbeaten champions. The Abu Dhabi side notched wins over Jersey, Guernsey and Denmark to finish as runner-up in the competition.

Their tour will begin with a visit to the hallowed Lord’s ground, the home of cricket, on Saturday. The competition will begin on Monday with matches each day against Guernsey, Jersey, Dorset, Surrey and Holland.

Qazi Ayub, the head coach, said this tour was a good opportunity for the talented young cricketers to get exposure in different conditions and top class opposition. He expected the players to display their individual skills and aim to win the title this time.

“Although winning is not a criteria, last year’s results just go on to show how well these young cricketers have developed,” said Ayub.

The talent in the squad is epitomised by 11-year-old Riyan, the baby of the side. “He is an outstanding player,” gushed Ayub. “He has got the right attitude and confidence to play strokes all around the wicket.

“He may be small in stature but he is a player with a big heart. We want to nurture players like him and waiting for him to grow physically and peak gradually.”

Riyan, who joined the academy from its start in 2005, has already shown glimpses of his talent. He was named Player of the Academy in 2007. He also played a key role in Sherwood emerging as the champion team in the inaugural Lifebuoy Abu Dhabi inter-school cricket tournament last season.

Two players from the academy will also travel with the team on a week-long scholarship to train at Sussex County Cricket Club Academy, strengthening the bonds between the two academies. They are Dan D’Souza, 16, a wicketkeeper batsman, and all-rounder Moaaz Qazi, 14, who was the man of the tournament in the Arabian Cricket Festival last year, scoring over 162 runs and bagging 12 wickets.

The reciprocal visits by Sussex teams for pre-season training to the Zayed Stadium have cemented the academy’s relationship with the English side.

“The Arabian Cricket Festival will now be an annual feature in the calendar of our academy. The awarding of scholarships for two of our talented players is a big boost for our Academy,” said coach Ayub.

james@khaleejtimes.com