Perth: Shaiman Anwar continued to be the hero of the UAE in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 with another superb knock of 62 against Pakistan, the country where he was born and where his family lives.
Speaking to Gulf News immediately after his second half-century of the World Cup, besides the century against Ireland, Anwar said: “I am so happy that I am consistent in my batting. I am so thrilled that I have made my family members back home proud.”
Anwar, who could not contain his joy, revealed that his knock against Pakistan is very special. “I wanted to prove that I am not scared at playing the bowlers from my own country. I want to continue my form throughout the World Cup,” he added.
UAE skipper Mohammad Taquir hailed Anwar’s knock and revealed that his team now addresses him as Sir Viv (Richards). “Anwar is a brilliant batsman. He is a very confident individual of our team. I’m very happy for him. He’s doing very well for himself and the team. I think today he missed a hundred and if he would have stayed to the end, we could have scored 90 to 100 runs more. It is yet another excellent performance from him.
Left-arm pacer Manjula Guruge also expressed his delight over his four-wicket spell. He told Gulf News: “It is an amazing feeling to get four wickets against a Test side. This is the reward for my hard work I have been able to put in working with my coach Aaqib Javed.”
Guruge, who hails from Sri Lanka, also said: “My earlier best spell in One-day international was in my debut against Scotland when I took three wickets in the final of the World Cup qualifier at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln in February last year. I want to keep performing this way against top nations.”
