Kabir excited about new UAE adventure

United Arab Emirates coach Kabir Khan believes his side needs to improve its physical fitness if it has to walk away with the ICC Intercontinental Shield title. UAE takes on Namibia in the title round at the ICC Global Cricket Academy Oval from 2 December-5 December in Dubai.

Kabir Khan?s first stint with the squad was a tour to Kenya where the team played a few friendly one-day games which led to his initial assessment of the squad.

``We had a tour to Kenya which gave me a chance to look at the boys. Kenya was preparing for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and we got a chance to play four friendly games. From what I saw, the team needs to work on its physical fitness to compete consistently at the highest level. I am having a camp since last Monday with a focus on fitness. I believe that it is the key to success. There is enough talent at the Associate level but it is important to take a step up in terms of fitness,?? said Kabir Khan.

Kabir Khan just recently took over as UAE coach after piloting Afghanistan?s rise to the top in the ICC Intercontinental Cup.

``The team was already in the final before I took over. So my job starts now. We still have about a month to prepare for the final which should be enough. We have enough time to plan and get the team ready for the final.??

This is not the first time that Kabir Khan is working with the UAE side having previously spent close to seven months with them couple of years ago. This time he believes the focus in on creating competition.

``I want more competition for places. That is the reason I have tried to get a few young players in. It is a bit like India who keep winning but rest a few seniors just to give the coach a few options. You should be brave enough to throw your young talent at the deep end for stiffer tests whether it is in bowling or batting,?? opined Kabir Khan.

According to Kabir Khan, a former Pakistan fast bowler, the team?s strength lies in its batting.

``The team?s main strength is its batting which is very experienced. Saqib Ali, Khurram Khan and Arshad Ali form the core of an experienced batting line-up. Then there is back-up in the form of Amjad Ali, Naeemuddin Aslam,?? added Kabir Khan.

But Kabir Khan and his team for now has to juggle between three different cities _ Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and the distances between them. Kabir Khan, however, does not want to offer that as an excuse.

``The real problem is that the guys work from 8 am to 6 pm and then have to come for training. If we have a camp in Sharjah it takes time for the boys to drive from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

``I am trying to be flexible with practice sessions. I have had good meetings with Mazhar Khan (administrator, Emirates Cricket Board) and ECB CEO Dilawar Mani about this. I may look to have smaller sessions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai so that the boys will get to train at their respective venues which will be good enough.

``This way we will be able to see all the boys. It is better to have one camp with 40 boys than have a camp with 60 boys. It will reduce the burden,?? added Kabir Khan.

Kabir Khan knows enough about his team?s final opponents, Namibia. He believes that knowledge will help both him and the team.

``We have played Namibia in the past. I have seen Namibia as both Afghanistan and UAE coach. When I was coach of UAE two years ago we had beaten Namibia twice in one-dayers.??

Kabir Khan also believed that the result in the league game when UAE travelled to Namibia and won, will also linger on in the minds of his team, albeit positively.

``The morale of our boys will be high because we beat Namibia in its conditions in the league round. It will be at the back of the mind and will have an effect when we play Namibia in the final.??

The fact that UAE play the final at home also raises hope for Kabir Khan.

``Playing at home brings with it an advantage because our boys will know the pitch, weather conditions. The players can also practice at the ground, whereas Namibia will land and straightaway get into the contest.??

Kabir Khan?s excellent record as Afghanistan coach is still talked about highly by the players. The players often speak about a magic touch he had with the Afghanistan side. But Kabir Khan plays it down.

``I do not have any midas touch. I just try and teach the boys from what I have learnt from making mistakes in Test and ODIs or even off the field. If anything, I don?t like to lose. I am not bad loser. But I always want the team to win and want them to always plan and think about a win,?? revealed Kabir Khan.

Kabir Khan has pinned a lot of hopes on UAE climbing through the ranks among the Associate teams.

``I am very certain that UAE can beat any top team among Associate countries because they are much better than where they are presently in the rankings. As a coach with Afghanistan my hope was to see that the team keeps getting better. There is always room for improvement for UAE as well. I am sure we can achieve more.??

Kabir Khan likes the challenge of coaching and believes it brings out the best in him.

``I enjoy coaching especially when the going is tough like it was when I was with Afghanistan. To see the Afghan side as one of the top teams feels good because it is a result of struggle and sheer talent of the squad. It was a challenge for me as well and I am quite happy with the result. If I can do the same with UAE I will be very happy.??