United Real Group Emirati Warriors want permanent place at Superstars T20

DUBAI // The organisers of the United Real Group Emirati Warriors hope the team will become a permanent fixture on the domestic cricket scene, despite their first round exit in the SuperStars T20.

The side was put together at late notice, adhering to a strict selection criteria, as it was open solely to Emiratis or players born on these shores.

Their opening campaign together was a tough assignment. The SuperStars T20 is an open tournament, meaning sides are free to enlist whichever players they want, from wherever they want.

In the opening match earlier this month, the Warriors were soundly beaten by Grand Midwest.

That was forgivable, given their opponents had recruited two Pakistan internationals, Sharjeel Khan and Shahzaib Hasan, and the England player Owais Shah, especially for the competition.

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Saturday’s task was not much easier, as they were comprehensively outplayed by an Al Faraa Al Ain Super Kings side who also had some imported talent in their ranks.

The Warriors’ best bowler, Mohammed Tauqir, the national team captain who shackled the likes of AB de Villiers and Marlon Samuels at the World Cup last month, was reverse-swept for six in the seven-wicket loss.

Undeterred by the challenges, Amin Farooq, who came up with the idea for the side, hopes they can participate regularly in senior UAE cricket — provided they can find a sponsor.

Farooq estimates that running a side in regular competition, in a country where maintenance costs and the fact most matches are played under floodlights mean staging matches is expensive, can be as much Dh250,000 per year.

“The amount of money you spend, it is all for the pride of seeing one of your boys play for the national team,” said Farooq, who is also the general secretary of Dubai Cricket Council.

“Our team is purely for nationals and UAE-born players, which is a new idea, and we are trying to do it permanently.”

Sandwiched between the losses against Grand Midwest and the Al Ain side, the Warriors did claim a win, and Farooq says that represented success.

“Our target for this competition was one victory,” he said.

“The players all know each other, but they haven’t played together and haven’t had the time to gel as a side.

“The next time we play together we will have a chance, and our aim then will be to reach the knockout stages.”

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