Paul Franks was assistant UAE coach under Aaqib Javed, and has now taken the head coach role on an interim basis. Greg Wood / AFP
Paul Franks was assistant UAE coach under Aaqib Javed, and has now taken the head coach role on an interim basis. Greg Wood / AFP

Paul Franks appointed UAE cricket interim head coach



Agency

The Emirates Cricket Board have appointed Paul Franks as the UAE’s interim head coach ahead of the side’s ICC Intercontinental Cup and World Cricket League campaigns next month in Scotland.

The Englishman takes on the role after Aaqib Javed’s departure earlier in the year.

On loan to UAE Cricket from Nottinghamshire, Franks had previously worked with the UAE players through his previous role as assistant coach during the UAE’s participation in the 2015 Cricket World Cup and the Asia Cup.

“The opportunity to work with the UAE again was one I really couldn’t turn down and I’m very grateful to the management at Nottinghamshire for releasing me for this period of time,” Franks said.

On July 26, the UAE team will enter a 10-day preparation camp in Hampshire and Jersey. They take part in the Intercontinental Cup between August 9-12, followed by the World Cricket League on August 14 and 16. All matches will be played at Mannofield Park, Aberdeen.

“We’re going to playing in conditions I’m very familiar with and I have a strong bond and a great relationship with the playing group and captain, they understand that I have high standards, but at the same time I know they trust me to support them each step of the way,” Franks said.

David East, Emirates Cricket Board’s chief executive, said: “Paul has sound, detailed knowledge of our team dynamics, having worked within our team for past international tournaments, and we are confident Paul will be a positive and effective influence on the team during our upcoming campaign against Scotland.”

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