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Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
From backyard cricket to the UAE National Team Star
Cricket, a game of physical and mental endurance, captured Ali Naseer's heart early on. When Ali picked up a plastic bat and a tennis ball to play cricket at the age of six, little did he know that he had met his calling. A young, energetic Ali Naseer is well into his cricketing career. Ali joined the ICC Cricket Academy when he was twelve years old, and today, he is a proud member of the UAE national team. A student at the Wellington School, Ali, from a very early age, started spending long hours at the ICC Cricket Academy. 'At times, it would be challenging for me to balance my studies with my long hours of cricket. As I enjoyed playing cricket, I worked hard to strike a balance between my school life and my hours at the cricket academy,' he recalls. At the age of twelve, when Ali started to play hard-ball cricket, it was an exciting time in his life. His talent was soon recognised by his coaches, and at fifteen, Ali was selected for the under-16 UAE team. Ali's debut was impressive when he scored an astounding 197 runs in Oman during his first international tournament. 'It was a great experience for me, and I learnt the skills of leadership, teamwork, and taking risks. This was a great tournament for me personally,' he says. Ali recalled his first international match against the West Indies, where he once again impressed his opponents with two back-to-back half-centuries. Since then, Ali is on a steady incline in his cricketing career. Ali finds the hot summer months the most challenging part of playing in the UAE. A fifty-over game can last for almost seven hours. The scorching temperatures are not easy to play in, but the passion for cricket drives him and his teammates to the field. Ali's first-ever coach was Mudassar Nazar, who was the head coach at the ICC at the time. 'I was fortunate to be coached by the legendary Pakistani player, Mudassar Nazar, who dedicated long hours to us and coached us with so much passion. I felt honoured to be coached by him,' Ali shares. Ali is grateful to Mudassar Nazar for guiding him throughout his cricket journey at the academy and spoke very highly of him. 'Mudassar Nazar is an icon, and yet he is so humble and connects with us effortlessly. A very fine coach, and his guidance is invaluable,' he says. Ali stressed the importance of staying fit, as cricket, like many other sports, is a physically demanding sport. Regular physical training and a healthy diet are an integral part of a cricketer. 'There is a lot of glamour in cricket, no doubt, but behind the glamour and all the glory, there is relentless hard work. Long practices, lengthy matches, and not knowing the final outcome till the last ball require physical and mental strength,' he explains. Ali is a proud member of the UAE national cricket team, and he sees a bright future ahead of him. His relentless hard work and passion for cricket have put him on a steady incline in his cricketing career.
Express Tribune
04-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Gautam Gambhir dismisses criticism of India's advantage in Dubai
Listen to article Indian cricket team coach Gautam Gambhir strongly rejected claims that India enjoys an advantage in the playing conditions of Dubai following their four-wicket victory over Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final. The 2013 champions became the first team to secure a spot in the final after overcoming Australia by four wickets on Tuesday. At a press conference on Tuesday, Gambhir addressed the accusations of India benefiting from Dubai's conditions, calling them baseless and unfounded. He stated, "Even if this tournament was held in Pakistan, we would have still gone with two spinners. The idea that we have some kind of edge in Dubai is completely unfounded." Gambhir went on to highlight that the Indian team hadn't practiced even a single day at the Dubai International Stadium. Instead, their training was conducted at the ICC Cricket Academy, which has different conditions from the main venue. He further refuted the criticisms, saying, "Tell me, when and where has India played a tournament under these current Dubai conditions? I can't remember." He added that Dubai's conditions were unfamiliar to all teams, including India, pointing out that the pitches don't favor India in any special way. The former cricketer also responded to critics who focus on players' statistics, such as runs and wickets, rather than their impact on the game. "As journalists, you look at the numbers and statistics. We analyze the impact a player has on the game. Scoring big runs doesn't make a player great if it doesn't influence the outcome of the match," he explained. Gambhir expressed full confidence in his team's abilities, stating, "Our players have excelled in every department of the game. Each one of them has taken responsibility and shown the hunger to win. But the job isn't done yet; there's still one crucial match to win." Addressing ongoing criticism of the team selection, Gambhir dismissed it, stating, "We don't care about criticism from outsiders. Our focus is solely on the performance of the players and the success of the team." With the team now focusing on the final, Gambhir's remarks reflect the determination and confidence within the camp, as they aim for another Champions Trophy victory.
