NELSON, NEW ZEALAND // To ensure people came along to watch UAE play Zimbabwe, two sides peopled by lesser-known players, local schools were given Thursday off.
Clearly, the organisers were not confident the sport would sell itself. So, beyond the boundary, there were people playing bongo drums, face painting and a couple of entertainers dressed up as Lord Nelson.
At the start, some of the children were more fussed by the fact a tub of chips cost $4.50 (Dh12.4) than they were about the UAE’s batting effort. It did not take long for that to change.
Aaqib Javed, the UAE coach, was conscious ahead of the competition that his players are unknowns in the wider world. He told them they need to justify people’s time.
More than anyone else on their promising 2015 World Cup debut, Shaiman Anwar took his chance to impress.
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The pocket powerhouse of the national team’s middle-order arrived at the wicket at the start of the 30th over, at the fall of the wicket of the side’s talisman, Khurram Khan.
Nine overs later, he clattered Tanashe Panyangara straight back over his head into the sightscreen for a majestic straight six to bring up a 37 ball half-century.
Shaiman is not shy of hitting sixes. Since virtually the moment he arrived in Dubai from Sialkot, he has been known in domestic circles as “Sixer Shaiman” because of his ability to clear the ropes whenever he fancies.
Early in his time in the emirates he hit seven in one over of a club game. Even though he was still some way off being eligible for the national team, the UAE’s selectors were on notice of his capabilities.
The maximum that brought up his maiden World Cup half-century was a thing of beauty, too, lofted gracefully straight back down the ground. He says he was more concerned with laying a platform for success for his side, though.
“It brought up my fifty, so it was special, but it is not really my favourite [six he has hit],” Shaiman said.
“It depends on the situation. At that time, I had the responsibility not just to stay there on the crease, but score runs too. It all heavily depended on me.”
Shaiman has some rivals for being considered the most powerful batsman in the UAE side.
Amjad Javed, the opening bowler is probably the longest hitter in the team, later had a 90 metre effort that nearly landed in the DJ booth at long-off.
Mohammed Naveed, whose main aim for the World Cup - despite being the main strike bowler - is to hit Dale Steyn for six, also notched a couple of big sixes.
Shaiman is not interested in who hits it furthest, though, preferring to eschew machismo in favour of pragmatism.
“For me, being one of the main batsmen in the team, it all depends on the conditions,” he said.
“If it is a question of survival, I will not hit. I will take mostly singles and doubles. This isn’t club cricket, this is the World Cup.
“We have to be sensible while batting. But those two [Javed and Naveed] are primarily bowlers and they can do what they like while batting.”
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