MCC-Zayed CA U-16 squad embark on Sri Lanka tour

MCC-Zayed Cricket Academy Under-16 players with officials. — Supplied photo

The MCC-Zayed Cricket Academy Under-16 squad embarked on their maiden tour of Sri Lanka on Tuesday night.

The 14-member squad departed from the Abu Dhabi International Airport late on Tuesday night. Captained by talented opening batsman Mohammed Riyan, the Under-16 team will play seven matches against some of the leading schools and academies in Sri Lanka.

Habib ur Rehman is the coach, while the well experienced Qazi Ayub is the team manager.

Qazi Ayub said that the squad’s first tour to Sri Lanka will be a learning experience. “The boys will benefit from this tour. The conditions are quite different in Sri Lanka. So, the lads will learn a lot on this tour. And also, they will be playing 40-over games back-to-back. Their fitness will be put to the test,” Qazi Ayub told the Khaleej Times.

Qazi Ayub felt that the squad will be up against some top quality teams. “We are going to a country where there is a lot of youth cricket. Youth cricket is thriving in Sri Lanka. They have one of the best youth systems. Even school cricket is quite strong. The boys will be playing against some of the best schools and some of the best academies in Sri Lanka,” Qazi Ayub added.

He said that playing back-to-back matches will be a learning process for the lads.

“Playing back-to-back matches will be a learning curve. Fitness will also come into the play. They will be playing in a different environment. It will make them come out of their zone. It would be the perfect opportunity to gauge their level,” he said.

A good showing here will put the boys into reckoning for the UAE Under-19 squad. “This is the future for the Under-19 squad. This is the feeder for UAE age group teams,” said Qazi.

The squad contains four players who are part of the UAE Under-16 probables. Wicketkeeper Sachin Jha, medium pacer Yodhin Punja, batsman Justin D’Souza and wicketkeeper-batsman Hanzalah Khan have the opportunity to make it to the UAE squad for the Under-16 tournament to be held in Kuwait in October.

Sachin Jha and a few members of this squad have toured the UK before. Sachin Jha and Mooaz Qazi have been selected for a scholarship training with Sussex and will travel to the UK, two days after the Under-16 squad returns from Sri Lanka.