Dubai: Karthik Vishwas Shekar will lead the UAE team in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under-16 Challenge Cup to be held in Thailand from March 3.
Shekhar has been performing consistently in UAE's inter-school and inter-academy tournaments.
Speaking to Gulf News immediately after being informed by UAE Under-16 team coaches about his appointment, he said: "I was really surprised to hear this news. It is a great honour as it is also my debut [on the] UAE team."
Shekar is a ninth grade student of the Al Diyafah High School and also represents G Force Cricket Academy in the Cricket for Care Inter Academy tournament. "We have a very balanced team though we have only one specialised wicketkeeper. We are good in all departments of the game and we had improved a lot during the last month under the coaching of Kabir Khan, Hyder, Qasim, Shah Hussain. We have also become fitter under the guidance of physiotherapist Sudhakar," added Shekar, who is a good right handed batsman and bowls leg spin.
"Though we are not aware of the quality of our opponents, I am sure we have the all round strength to beat any team in Thailand," said Shekar.
UAE team
Karthik Vishwas Shekar, Abdullah Saif Murad Karim Murad Al Beloushi, Hamad Karim Murad Karim Murad Al Beloushi, Ritik Baghi, Bikramjeet Singh Toor, Bilal Sajirin Passela, Abey Saju Vannilathi, Simon Charles, Salman Raza Khan, Ahsan Ali Khan, Shiv Mehra and Kumarage Waruna Kalhara.
