LONDON: MI Emirates star and UAE captain Muhammad Waseem said the franchise’s recent DP World ILT20 success showed him the breadth of Emirati cricket talent.
Waseem’s batting proved instrumental in propelling MI Emirates to victory in the second season of the ILT20, as his 321 runs in 12 innings with a strike rate of 148 saw him finish fourth on the top run scoring chart for the season.
He said he was impressed with the overall performance from the franchise’s young UAE players, such as Ali Naseer, Zuhaib Zubair and Muhammad Jawadullah.
“The DP World ILT20 is one of the best leagues in the world, so it is amazing to see them perform to their potential,” he said.
“They are proof that we have the talent and all we need is the exposure and the experience and the (ILT20 tournament) is helping us bridge that gap.”
Waseem also clinched the prestigious Blue Belt – Best UAE Player – for the second consecutive season. (Supplied/ILT20)
Reflecting on his performances in an impactful season, the right-handed opener said: “It is a source of great pride for me. As the captain of the country’s cricket team, it feels good to do well, especially when it is our own league.”
He continued: “Last year we did well too but we made some mistakes, which cost us the title. I’m very pleased that we won the tournament this year with our overall performance. We excelled in all key areas and that was the difference for us.
“We were fortunate to have some very experienced players including the likes of Trent Boult, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard. It’s special to play with these big players. They never make you feel like they are bigger than the game or anyone in the team and they help the whole team move forward.”
On his favorite knock of the tournament, the batter said: “I had a few good knocks this season, but the final was definitely my favorite inning. I am glad I could contribute to the team in a crucial situation.”
