Vriitya Aravind: T20 World Cup qualification is our obsession

Vriitya Aravind says the UAE’s players are “obsessed” with qualification for the T20 World Cup.

They started their campaign at the qualifier in Muscat in fine fashion, with an 18-run win over Ireland, who are the only Test nation in the eight-team tournament, on Saturday.

Aravind, the 19-year-old wicketkeeper, laid the platform for victory with a masterly 97 not out which entirely belied his inexperience.

His neatly paced innings was the basis for the national team’s total of 157 for five at the Oman Cricket Academy.

In reply, the Irish managed 139 for nine from their 20 overs, with 21-year-old leg-spinner Karthik Meiyappan excelling as he took three for 16.

Zawar Farid of UAE plays a shot during the ICC World T20 Global Qualifiers A match between Ireland and the UAE in Muscat, Oman, February 18, 2022. Subas Humagain

“In the dressing room, everyone’s morale is very high — they are all obsessed to win this qualifier,” Aravind said.

“Of course, last time we didn’t qualify for the World Cup. This time, everyone is hungry to qualify. That is why you are seeing these sort of performances.”

The victory was a significant step towards sealing a semi-final place, with matches against Germany and Bahrain still to play in the group stage.

Only the two sides who reach the final will get to advance to the main event in Australia later in the year.

“[Ireland] are the favourites to win this tournament,” Aravind said. “Every article I read said they were the favourites to win this tournament.

“It was good to upset the favourites and was a good start to the tournament for us, but this was just the start. There are four more games and a semi-final would be massive.”

Aravind’s innings, which comprised 67 balls, 13 fours and a six, was his