UAE cricket revels in Mahika Gaur England call-up: ‘We’ve got her back, no matter what’

It is difficult to pinpoint which part of Mahika Gaur’s story is the most unlikely.

The fact she could be talent-spotted at a coaching clinic at Dubai Expo 2020 and, less than two years later, be picked to play for England.

Or that someone could make it to the ranks of one of the leading forces in women’s international cricket so rapidly from the first cohort of female players to play regular organised cricket in the UAE.

The 17-year-old fast-bowler is about to be rendered ineligible to play for UAE for the foreseeable future, having been picked in the England squad for their limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, starting on Thursday.

Realistically, given how impressed England appear to be by the 6ft 2in schoolgirl, she is unlikely to be seen in UAE colours again.

If it is to be 19 T20 internationals and out for Gaur’s UAE career, then she goes with overwhelming goodwill from the team she is leaving behind.

Chaya Mughal, the UAE captain and women’s cricket development officer, spoke on behalf of her team last week when she said how thrilled she was by the news.

The ripples of her elevation have been felt far and wide, even in the United States. Humaira Tasneem was the captain when Gaur first played for UAE in a match against Indonesia back in 2019.

The Al Ain-born all-rounder now lives in the US, where she no longer plays regular cricket. Despite now being out of sight, the news about her former colleague did not pass her by.

“It is incredible, and very satisfying, to see a person like Mahika achieving so much – just because she deserves it,” Tasneem said.

“She has been a great team player, she has taken advice from everyone and tried her level best to improve herself as a player.

“She has earned the reward for working