DUBAI: Skipper Mohammed Waseem, batter Alishan Sharafu, pacer Junaid Siddique and other cricketers have expressed their joy for playing a major role in the UAE’s cricket team qualifying for the 2025 Asia Cup after nine long years.

The UAE team’s captain and skipper Waseem expressed that the exposure they gained during the DP World ILT20 was instrumental in their performance. “It feels incredible to make the Asia Cup,” he commented.

Meanwhile, young batter Sharafu, 21, said: "This was a fantastic team effort, and I am happy I could contribute with the bat.”

Pacer Siddique was “really happy I could do well for the team” and said: “I look forward to more such performances.”

The UAE cricket team qualified after nine long years for the 2025 Asia Cup tournament following a 55-run win over Oman in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup final on Sunday.

Their victory was backed by performances from Waseem as well as Sharafu before pacer Siddique, in the company of Aayan Afzal Khan, led the bowling attack to help UAE win the final. 

Waseem scored 56-ball-century and was well supported by his opening partner Sharafu who contributed 34 to their opening stand of 94 runs.

After putting up 204 on the board, Siddique picked up three wickets for 38 runs in his four overs while Khan finished with figures of two for 29 to restrict Oman to 149-9 in their 20 overs, as they went on to avenge their defeat to Oman earlier in the tournament.

Sharafu, who ended up as the highest run getter of the tournament with 278 runs in six innings, continued his fine form from the DP World ILT20 earlier this year where he played an important role in Sharjah Warriors’ qualification into the play-offs.

Striking at 163.52, with a top score of 90* in UAE’s first game against Kuwait, Sharafu made full use of his opportunity with the UAE senior team to leave a mark at the international level during the ACC Premier Cup and help his team seal a spot in the 2025 Asia Cup.

"I was carrying a lot of confidence from my stint in the DP World ILT20 where I bat against some of the best bowlers in world cricket," said Sharafu.  

According to the 21-year-old the exposure was instrumental, and they have been doing well under their new coach Lalchand Rajput.

Waseem ended the ACC Premier Cup just nine runs behind his opening partner, leading his team by example.

It hasn’t been too long since Waseem lit up the DP World ILT20 2024, where he set the tone at the top for his team, the MI Emirates, who won the championship.

“Playing alongside the best cricketers in the world is a big factor in improving our individual performances as well as a team. I think we are adapting to playing under pressure very well after our experience in these leagues," said Waseem.  

A 24-ball-43 in the DP World ILT20 Final against Dubai Capitals earlier this year and now a century while steering his team to a huge total in the ACC Premier Cup Final proved that Waseem is a big-match player.

"This is the first time in nearly a decade that UAE will be playing this prestigious tournament, and the team is ecstatic," added the 30-year-old.

Impressive at the ACC Premier Cup was another youngster who turned heads at the DP World ILT20 2024 while representing the Gulf Giants. Left-arm spinner Khan continued to spin webs around the batters as he consistently picked up wickets for the UAE senior team including figures of two for 29 in the all-important final against Oman.

With ten wickets in six innings, Aayan picked up ten wickets to finish as his team’s highest wicket taker as well as the second highest wicket taker of the tournament overall.

"I have gained a lot of confidence after my recent experience at the DP World ILT20 where I got to watch and learn from some of the best bowlers in the world. For a youngster like me, exposure like this definitely helps in improving my own performance," said Khan. 

Meanwhile, Siddique picked up six wickets in the five games he played for UAE and was their best bowler in the ACC Premier Cup final.

"Though I did not get too many matches at the DP World ILT20 this year, sharing the dressing room with some of the cricket greats and watching them closely did help me. I am motivated even more to perform well for UAE and showcase my potential," Siddique said.