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All-rounder Mustafa proud to represent UAE in Canada

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 All-rounder Mustafa proud to represent UAE in Canada

Rohan Mustafa made the best use of the opportunity. - AP file

Dubai - He and six others from the UAE cricket team are part of four franchises in the ongoing Global T20 Canada

Published: Wed 31 Jul 2019, 9:30 PM

Updated: Wed 31 Jul 2019, 11:35 PM

  • By
  • James Jose

UAE all-rounder Rohan Mustafa said that he has tried to make the best use of the opportunity given to him and added that he and his teammates was proud to be representing the UAE on a global stage.
Mustafa and six others from the UAE cricket team are part of four franchises in the ongoing Global T20 Canada.
The 30-year-old Mustafa was picked in the first edition last year by the Toronto Nationals but didn't get a chance to play. But the all-rounder, who has featured in 31 ODIs and 27 T20 Internationals, is now plying his trade for the Brampton Wolves.
And he has already made a bit of an impression by taking two wickets for nine runs in two overs against Montreal Tigers in their opening game. He had Sunil Narine stumped before having Kyle Coetzer castled.
Mustafa felt that the exposure will help not just him but also his UAE teammates.
"It is a good experience playing in the Global T20 Canada," Mustafa exclusively told the Khaleej Times from Brampton, Canada.
"Last time I was part of the Toronto Nationals but didn't get an opportunity. But still, when you get to share a dressing room with players like Kieron Pollard and Steve Smith, you get to learn a lot. This year, my teammates are some of the great T20 players like (Colin) Munro, Shahid Afridi and Wahab Riaz. So, it is a great opportunity for me to share the dressing room with such players. Unluckily one of my favourite all-rounders in the world Shakib Al Hasan is not here but he was a part of Brampton," he added.
Mustafa, who ushered in his first child, son Arhaam, in February, said that perceptions will change once UAE players do well.
 "It feels great to be representing the UAE in such a tournament. If you perform well, the team's captain and coaches will trust the UAE players when the next season comes along. Most of the players are doing well, Zahoor (Khan), (Muhammed) Naveed, Shaiman (Anwar), in the tournament. So, it is a proud moment for UAE," felt Mustafa.
Mustafa revealed that former Pakistan captain Afridi has been a great mentor through the tournament. "I was taken by surprise by Shahid Afridi because he's quite different. He is very, very supportive. He has been talking to me, supporting me, giving advice. Even while I was bowling, he supported me very well. So, it has been a great experience to be play with him in the same team," he said.
Mustafa, UAE captain Muhammed Naveed, Rameez Shahzad, Zahoor Khan, Ghulam Shabbir and Chirag Suri will fly out to The Netherlands on Thursday night and link up with the rest of the UAE squad for the four T20 Internationals.
The UAE will take on The Netherlands on August 3rd, 5th, 6th and 8th with the first two games to be played at the VRA Cricket Ground in Amstelveen and the final two matches at The Hague Cricket Ground in Voorburg.
james@khaleejtimes.com
 

UAE players in Global T20:

Brampton Wolves: Rohan Mustafa, Zahoor Khan
Toronto Nationals: Chirag Suri, Ghulam Shabbir
Montreal Tigers: Muhammed Naveed
Winnipeg Hawks: Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar



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