UAE's Alishan Sharafu keen to ensure Asia Cup qualification in Oman final

Alishan Sharafu says he and his UAE colleagues aim to finish the job by securing Asia Cup qualification against Oman on Sunday.

The two sides will meet in the final of the ACC Premier Cup in Muscat. The fixture guarantees the winners a place in the continent’s top limited-overs event next year.

It is possible both sides could yet feature in that event. The UAE won the equivalent competition in the women’s game back in February, and so believed they had earned one of the two qualifying places for the Women’s Asia Cup.

Only subsequently did the Asian Cricket Council announce that competition would have two extra qualifying places, in addition to the UAE and Malaysia.

The five Asian Test nations – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan – are guaranteed entry to the men’s Asia Cup.

Presently it is set to be a six-team competition, but speculation suggests that it, too, might be extended to accommodate two more teams.

While that is unconfirmed, the UAE are focused on making the debate academic.

Sharafu, who has been the national team’s breakout performer in reaching the final, said the team are glad to be in the position they are.

“It is more excitement than nerves,” Sharafu said ahead of their chance to avenge the group-stage loss to Oman in the final.

“The job is not done yet. The ultimate goal when we were coming here was to go to the Asia Cup.

“We have given ourselves the best chance now and hopefully we can bring our A-game in the final as well, and get ourselves a spot in the Asia Cup.”

No one has done more to get the national team into this position than Sharafu. He has been a batter transformed since arriving in Muscat just over a week ago – and his beleaguered side’s fortunes have been transformed,