Whoever replaces Aaqib Javed as UAE cricket coach has some big boots to fill

The cricket landscape in the UAE has changed exponentially since Aaqib Javed first took the reins four years ago. But while the attitude of players has changed, the team the new coach inherits is one in transition.

Aaqib Javed will leave his post as UAE cricket coach after four years in the job at the end of May 2016. Ravindranath K / The National

It is easy to imagine Alex Ferguson offering two simple words of guidance when he made his big handover to David Moyes at Manchester United: “Good luck.”

Aaqib Javed might feel compelled to offer similar sentiments to his successor when he passes on the role of UAE coach at the end of next month. Because, as with Moyes, whoever comes in has a hard act to follow, and will need all the luck they can get.

Given the change in UAE cricket’s circumstances over the past four years, few people involved now probably remember how bad it was pre-Aaqib.

Twice weekly sessions in the modest nets behind Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Players arriving late because of rush-hour traffic. Others not getting there at all because of work commitments. Negligible fitness. Ahmed Raza, for one, was 20 kilograms overweight, and he was still seen as one of the most athletic members of the side and its best fielder.

Ally that to nil appearances at major tournaments since 1996. Enough bitter experiences of missed opportunities to suggest it might never happen again. And the rapid advance of their increasingly professional competitors.

Now, look. The players (or some, at least) are (supposedly) about to be remunerated like professional players with central contracts. They have a strength and conditioning specialist. They have had the benefit of batting, fielding and bowling consultants. A paid selection panel. Regular training using the hi-spec facilities at the ICC Academy in Dubai. And they have been to two global competitions, plus the Asia Cup, in recent times.

Aaqib’s first three years at the helm where characterised by inexorable ascent. In the same period, no other international team could match the rate of improvement the UAE made. At Associate level, they went from backmarkers to genuine competitors.

And then, from the start of 2015, came the 12-month-long reality check. Six games lost at the World Cup. A woeful display in missing out on qualification for the World Twenty20 in India. Then a home thrashing by Hong Kong.

Therein lies the opportunity for the next man in. How to improve on Aaqib’s spell? It is doable. Of the 13 matches the national team played across the World T20, the World Cup and the main round of the Asia Cup, they failed to win one.

Reaching that point, given what had gone before in the past 20 years in UAE cricket, was a fine achievement. After all, it had only happened once here at all. But Aaqib will have wanted more.

Something needed to be done to take the side to the next level. Substantial changes have been made in attempting to break down the crumbling facade that passed for an elite game in this country.

The uplifting recent wins against Ireland, Afghanistan, Oman and Hong Kong in T20 cricket may have served to paper over the fact the national team is starting again. They are at the beginning of their development curve, and are still coming to terms with the retirement of three of the greats of the game here: Khurram Khan, Mohammed Tauqir and Saqib Ali.

It is not like the new coach will come in and find a house already built, with the roof on, the electrics all fully functioning, and all he needs to do is add the right fixtures and fittings.

Aaqib saw the old cottage through to the natural end of its days, then razed it to its foundations. The plan was to put in place a structure more in keeping with modernity, but he will be leaving with just the building blocks in place.

At the Asia Cup, the UAE were well placed to take a first win over a major Test nation on three occasions, only to be undone by poor batting.

There is a reason for that. Khurram, and to a lesser extent Saqib, are no longer there to prop up the team and score the difficult runs. Mohammed Usman is highly promising. Laxman Sreekumar, too. But they need to start making their chances count.

Which is where UAE cricket will be hoping Aaqib can leave one last parting gift before his May 31 departure for Pakistan.

If he can find a forget-me-not via the ongoing national Emirates Cricket Talent Hunt, in the form of one or more classy batsman, the job of replacing him will be all the more manageable.

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