Colin Wells steps down as UAE coach

After coaching the UAE national side for more than a year, Colin Wells has opted out of the position and taken up a coaching role with a school in Abu Dhabi.

Dilawar Mani, Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), said on the National: "We obviously support his move and wish him well. He did a good job for us and I am sure he will do a good job at the school as well."

ECB has already begun its search for a replacement ahead of its planned tour to Kenya and Zimbabwe and the ICC Intercontinental Shield final in November this year at home.

Under Wells, the team had earlier missed out on qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, thereby losing its ODI status, as well as a spot in the ICC World Twenty20 2010.

However, it recently won against Bermuda by nine wickets in the four-day I Shield match and currently sits at the top of the points table.

All-rounder Saqib Ali also praised Wells' ability to motivate players: "He made us believe we can win every game, but it's not surprising that he has decided to move on. As a player, I would like to have a longer association with any coach, and now with a new coach we need to start again from scratch."