Asif Khan handed maiden call-up as UAE switch focus to ODI World Cup qualifying

The feeling of goodwill already pervading UAE cricket has been accentuated with a first call up for Asif Khan ahead of the national team’s return to 50-over World Cup qualifying.

The team will play back-to-back tri-series in the Cricket World Cup League 2 this month, starting with matches against Oman and Namibia.

They will then face Papua New Guinea and Nepal, with all fixtures set to be staged across Dubai and Sharjah.

The national team are on the crest of a wave having qualified for the T20 World Cup in style in Muscat last week.

That triumph was the culmination of a successful tour which also saw them take two One-Day International wins and a tie against Oman, who they will be reacquainted with at the ICC Academy on Saturday.

Now they have been able to add Asif to their in-form batting line up. His elevation to the side, after qualifying as per the ICC’s three-year residency criteria, has been much anticipated for some time now.

Saturday March 5, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy (all matches start at 9.30am)

Sunday March 6, Oman v Namibia, ICC Academy

Tuesday March 8, UAE v Namibia, ICC Academy

Wednesday March 9, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy

Friday March 11, Oman v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Saturday March 12, UAE v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium

UAE squad

Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri, Muhammad Waseem, CP Rizwan, Vriitya Aravind, Asif Khan, Basil Hameed, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Karthik Meiyappan, Akif Raja, Rahul Bhatia

It is hoped he could do similar for the middle-order to what Muhammad Waseem has managed at the top of the order, in his wildly-successful six-month introduction to international cricket.

Ahmed Raza, the UAE captain, says he has been “overwhelmed” by the response to