Exclusive Interview: "As a captain you have to show your team how to win games", says Amjad Javed

"As a captain you have to show your team how to win games"                                    Image: Sport360

UAE Cricket is developing. They are now professional after they contracted 8 players full time. Also, they qualified to the Asia Cup this year. Even though they lost to Sri Lanka, Bangaldesh and Pakistan, these games went down to the wire. More importantly, they played good cricket. Amjad Javed, the current UAE Captain, was the man behind the rise. He joins Deep Mehta for an exclusive interview on his life, career, UAE Cricket and more.

Excerpts from the interview:

When did you start playing the game and what led to it?

It was my father and my grandfather. I was just 14 at that time and after watching Pakistan win the 1992 Cricket World Cup, I felt motivated. And when you have support from your family you can really pursue your journey.

Every cricketer has a role model. Who was your role model and why?

As I told you earlier, I keenly followed the 1992 World Cup so it was Imran Khan. I have always wanted to become like him as an all-rounder and as a leader.

UAE Head Coach, Aaqib Javed talked about the positivity you create in the team meetings and termed you as the ‘most important T20 player’. What is your view on this statement?

He was with us from the last 3-4 years and knows each and every player and what he is capable of. Aaqib watched me play in so many domestic games, while playing for UAE and the way I was performing. And I think this happened when I was captaining in my first game against Scotland and we won that game. I made 70 odd runs and took two wickets. Scotland has a good domestic structure which we don’t have here in UAE. Gradually, we are implementing it. Most of the Scotland players are playing in the county. Stepping up and performing against them was a challenge and that’s the reason he gave that compliment.

How vital was Aaqib’s role in these tournaments like the Asia Cup, World Cup 2015?

When he came 3-4 years back, we were playing against Scotland in Sharjah and he saw us. We were a good team but the sense of ‘professionalism’ was not there. At that time, while playing we had our job duties at the back of our minds. He came and changed everything. Aaqib trained us very hard and brought in a trainer. He improved UAE Cricket and the results are in front of you. We qualified for the 2015 World Cup. We performed well in the qualifying round.

Amjad and other UAE players used to juggle between jobs and playing cricket earlier. 

Image: thenational.ae

Now, UAE cricketers are yet to get professional contracts so you also work for an airline- Emirates. You have been working and playing cricket simultaneously all these years. How do you manage to do both?
Initially, it was very difficult for me. When I started, every cricketer had to play and work as well. But, now after Aaqib joined he introduced the contract system. Now we have 8 players who have professional contracts with the board. A few are still in process. After reviewing and analyzing their performances, the board will make the decision.

Talking about Khurram, what kind of a character is he? What is your take on him? You have played alongside him all these years.

When I started playing professional cricket, he was the captain of my team. I have been playing with him since the last 15 years. He is like a big brother to me. I was just 20 when I began my journey. He taught me everything. In domestic matches, he used to assist me a lot and explained the technicalities of the game. Khurram is an excellent leader and I felt comfortable playing under him. We played the 2015 World Cup and he was there. I feel lucky about the fact that when I started, a person like him was there for me at each and every step. He was a complete cricketer.

"If we would have played 10-15 games against proper cricketing nations before the Asia Cup, the result might have been different."                                                                                               (Image: thenational.ae)

 In the Asia Cup this year, UAE lost three close games to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan due to inexperience and lack of exposure. How heart breaking is it to see these kinds of games slip out of your hands and face these loses?

It is difficult. Especially, when you are leading the team. I believe when you are playing in this age, you have to attack. We went ahead and attacked the opposition. We really restricted them. We are not getting more games like Afghanistan and Ireland. They are playing regularly. We have a lot of things going on. The contract issues on the back of our minds as I mentioned. That’s where we lag behind. The more games we play against bigger opponents, we will get better as a team. If we would have played 10-15 games against proper cricketing nations before the Asia Cup, the result might have been different.

"I like to make things happen. That’s what reflects in my captaincy and batting style."

Image: Sport360

Now, you certainly have batting abilities. We have seen that in the past. Having said all this, is your ability to hit the ball hard and clean innate? Or did you work on our batting and improve it?

I think it comes naturally to me. I am a bit aggressive. I want the results. I cannot really sit back and wait for things to happen. I like to make things happen. That’s what reflects in my captaincy and batting style. Yes, I have been practising in the nets hard and I think that has helped me.

You played the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 for UAE. In the tournament you picked up 2 wickets in the four games that you played. Tell us more about your experience of playing on a huge stage like the World Cup with other proper cricketing nations.

I think when you go and play in front of such huge crowds, they support the game. Obviously, is you are playing against Australia in Australia they will support them but they also appreciate good shots, dismissals by the opposition. They love the game. I really enjoyed that. I scored about 180-190 runs in the tournament. It was really nice to see those spectators. The result wasn’t in our favor but we played good cricket and they supported us. We scored some runs against Pakistan, West Indies and had two close games against Zimbabwe and Ireland. We should have won at least one of them. Everyone in the team was enjoying the conditions there. When the conditions suit you and you have the support from the crowd it is a pleasant experience.

You were the T20 captain for UAE for the Asia Cup 2016. Tell us more about Amjad Javed- The Leader. From whom did you acquire your leadership qualities?

It came naturally to me. When I was leading for the first time, we had a lot of experienced cricketers. I was the Player of the Year and the management decided to appoint me as the captain. Khurram played under my captaincy and it was a very big thing for me. He admired my leadership qualities. Now that he is a selector, it make things easier for me.

What was your most memorable moment so far in your career?

The game in which I was appointed the captain against Scotland was the most memorable one so far. Before that we were losing everything. Hong Kong came here and white washed us. That has never happened before. We don’t generally lose to Hong Kong. We also lost to Holland. As a captain you have to show your team how to win games. That was difficult but I enjoyed leading the side.

What do you think about the future of UAE Cricket and the development of the game in the country? Do you have any suggestions regarding the development of the game in associate nations for the ICC?

As I mentioned before, UAE have the contract system in place and you will see a different UAE Team now. We are more mature now. Once the players are contracted, they will be able to give more time to cricket than before. This will help them in preparing to play at the big stage. I request ICC that playing against associate nations will not help us. We need to play against the bigger nations. So maybe we can have a tournament with 3-4 top associate nations and 2-3 proper cricket playing countries which are lower in rankings.

So, let’s move on to the ‘Rapid Fire Round’. Are you ready?

Absolutely. Let’s begin!

1. Describe yourself in one word.

A Hero.

2. What is your idea of a perfect holiday?

Anywhere with my family.

3. What is the most important lesson that life taught you?

To fight back after a loss.

4. Favourite song?
None as such.

5. All-time favorite cricketer?

Imran Khan

6. What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?

My children

7. If you had an option to edit your past, what would you like to change?

I would love to bowl in Pakistan.

8. One characteristic that sets you apart from others?

The hardwork that I put in.

9. If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?

I would not want any. I like to be myself.

10. What is your all time favorite movie?

‘Maine Pyaar Kiya Hai’ starring Salman Khan.

11. One goal you want to achieve in your career?

To lead UAE in a World Cup game.

12. Most embarrassing moment in your life?
When we couldn’t qualify for the T20 World Cup in India.

13. Your nickname?

None. They all call me Amjad.

14. Best mate in the dressing room?
My physio.

15. Most important thing for you in life?

My family.