Sydney: Nasir Aziz and Amjad Javed valiantly withstood the fearsome West Indies attack, after the UAE were reduced to 46 for six wickets in the first 14 overs, with a 107-run partnership to give some respect to their total at the McLean Park in Napier. Aziz topscored with 60 runs while Javed cracked 56 runs. The West Indies attack was extremely hostile as they wanted to record a big win to bolster their chance of playing in the World Cup quarter finals and the Caribbeans wrapped up their league engagements with a six-wicket win.
Speaking to Gulf News after the match, Aziz said: “I am so happy to get my first 50 in international cricket, that too against West Indies. I am also delighted at having fought hard along with Javed when we needed runs and put on a century partnership.”
Aziz, after getting to play in the first match against Zimbabwe, where he did not even get to bat, was dropped for the next four matches. “To be able to come back after being out of the four matches and play such a knock makes it extremely pleasing. I had told myself that if I get my chance, I will give my 100 per cent. I am happy that I could prove that I am capable of batting against a world-class attack. All that I did was to follow my coach Aaqib Javed’s advice to stay on at the wicket.”
Aziz, who captains Alubond Tigers in the UAE’s domestic cricket scene, thanked his cricket-loving employer Shaji Ul Mulk for all the encouragement. “If not for his encouragement by giving me leave from work and team manager Zulfiqar Ali, who makes sure I get enough time for practice out of work, I could not have achieved this honour,” said Aziz
Javed not only hit a half century but also picked the wickets of opener Johnson Charles and Andre Russell. Talking about his all-round show, Javed said: “This is a special moment of my life. In the last match against Pakistan, I had missed my half-century by 10 runs. To score a half-century in World Cup was my dream and I am happy that I did it and that too against West Indies. I may not get such an opportunity in my life again.”
Javed elaborated on his partnership with Aziz: “Nasir’s knock was indeed special. I reminded him of how we both had a partnership during the UAE selection match at Ajman Oval ground and urged him to play like how we did then. Our aim was to play the full 50 overs,” said Javed, who also thanked his employers.
“If not for Emirates Airlines and my department head in Emirates Sky Cargo who granted me leave to play in the World Cup, I could not have achieved my dream.”
