Jonathan Figy enjoying 'great opportunity' after returning to UAE setup

Jonathan Figy will be looking to make up for lost time as he returns to the UAE fold after more than three and a half years.

The young batsman, who has already represented the senior UAE team at international level, had moved to England on a cricket scholarship to complete his higher studies in 2020.

That done, the left-handed opener was back in Abu Dhabi to resume his cricket and has now earned a place in the UAE A side for the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, which starts on Thursday.

The UAE, drawn in Group B, play India A in their opener on Thursday at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds in Colombo. Pakistan A and Nepal are the other teams in the group.

“It feels great to be back in the national team. I have been back here training in Abu Dhabi for the last seven or eight months and playing in the domestic competitions,” Figy told The National before his departure to Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

“I have had a pretty good run and this is a great opportunity to play India A, Pakistan A, and Nepal. They are top sides in this tournament and I'm looking forward for the games and good performances as a team.”

Figy, who turns 22 next month, has two ODIs under his belt. He made his debut for the men’s team against Scotland in a Cricket World Cup League 2 match in Dubai in December 2019 and Namibia in the same competition in Oman in January 2020.

Figy also holds the record for being the first UAE batsman to score an Under-19 World Cup century.

Figy, born to Indian parents in Dubai, studied at the Abu Dhabi Indian School before moving to Winchester College in England on a cricket scholarship and later Leeds University.

He returned to the emirates after graduating with a degree in mathematics and statistics, eager to give