ABU DHABI // Aaqib Javed, the UAE coach, is happy to carry on with the development phase of his squad when they meet the Netherlands in the first of the two ICC World Cricket League (WCL) 50 over-a-side games at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
The former Pakistan fast bowler and World Cup winner is expected to bring in some of his more experienced players for the one-day games after he had seven debutants in the four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup which they lost to Netherlands by four wickets and a day to spare.
“We’ll make some changes from the four-day team to a format in which we are more familiar with,” Aaqib said.
“What we see is a development phase and we are happy to rotate the team with the current 20-player squad. I would rather prefer to stick with them and provide them a longer time rather than changing players for every competition.
“I can see some potential in this squad. I really believe once you choose a player to give him a good run because if we keep changing players we can never build a team.
“I’m still waiting until the full-time contracts are offered to players. It is then that we can work full time with them.”
The UAE are currently at the bottom of the Intercontinental Cup table after three defeats and have one of their four games in the WCL, losing to Hong Kong twice after a 1-1 series result against Kenya.
The Netherlands are also expected to make a few changes from their winning side in the four-day game.
“Obviously winning the four-day game reasonably comfortably was a huge confidence booster and we want to take the momentum forward in the shorter format,” the Netherlands captain Peter Borren said.
“The one-day game is different, one which we are more comfortable in playing. I guess the UAE would also feel the same because they too play a lot more 50-over games than the four-day format.”
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