A variety of UAE nationals have represented the country at cricket. Here are four of the most prominent.
Sultan Zarawani
Emirati cricket’s great pioneer, he was the driving force behind the UAE’s lone appearance at a 50-over World Cup. As such, it seems a pity he is remembered for what went wrong when they got there. He went out to bat against Allan Donald wearing a sun hat, and was promptly hit on the head.
Mohammed Tauqir
Ploughed a lone furrow for years as the lone Emirati in the team. The off-spinning all-rounder captained the side, won multiple ACC Trophies, and played four one-day internationals, via the 2004 and 2008 Asia Cups. The most significant body of work by an Emirati cricketer to date.
Alawi Shukri
One of the four UAE nationals in the squad for the 2008 Asia Cup, the young batsman has been rarely spotted since due to work and studies. Still only 24, Shukri, who first learnt the game from his Sri Lankan au pair, should be at the vanguard of any campaign to promote the sport to Emiratis.
Fahad Al Hashmi
Like Shukri, an indigenous member of the 2008 Asia Cup squad who has been under-utilised since. The policeman, who is 31, counts Tillakaratne Dilshan among his victims in the colours of the UAE. As a seam bowler, Al Hashmi should still have top-level cricket left in him.
* Paul Radley