UAE women’s team to make cricket history in Zimbabwe

DUBAI: The Esha Oza-led UAE women’s team are set to make history tomorrow with their first ODI in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

The team will play 50-over matches for the first time, with the games on Sept. 26, 28, 30 and Oct. 2 in Bulawayo. All the matches start at 9:15 a.m. local time.

The UAE was awarded ODI status by the International Cricket Council in May. This came after a series of impressive T20I games which helped them break into the top 15 and earn the right to play the 50-over format.

Oza, who is captain of the team, said the players were looking forward to making history this week. “We have worked very hard to reach here and earn the ICC ODI Status,” she said in a release recently.

“Since coming here, we have acclimatized well and got a good start as we won the practice game against the high-performance team.

“Our preparation has been excellent in the leadup to this series as we had an extensive camp in Dubai which helped us both select a solid 17-player squad and work on our strategies for the series.

“We have also worked hard on the mental and physical fitness aspects for the demands of the 50-over format. We can’t wait for the series to begin with the first ball to be bowled tomorrow.”

Meanwhile the Emirates Cricket Board’s Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad called the tour “a truly historic moment” for UAE cricket.

“We have reached here after years of hard work, dedication, and investment in women’s cricket,” he said. “The players have done remarkably well in T20Is and have well and truly earned their ICC ODI Status.”

UAE women’s squad for Zimbabwe tour:

Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle