'I could not believe that such a great player could be so friendly. He was like a father figure to all of us.'
There was talent and a pathway, but a decade down the road the UAE have not made any other appearances in a global event.
Ireland bolstered their chances of making it to the Super-10 after a disciplined bowling effort helped them post a 21-run win over United Arab Emirates under the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-affected Group B qualifying match of the ICC World T20 in Sylhet.
Elton Chigumbura scored a fluent half-century as Zimbabwe beat the United Arab Emirates by five wickets in a qualifying match to stay in the hunt for a place in the ICC World Twenty20 in Sylhet, Bangladesh, on Friday. Set a modest 116 after opting to bowl, Zimbabwe lost early wickets before overhauling the target in 13.4 overs courtesy a fine effort by Chigumbura, who remained unbeaten on 53.
They are now on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup 2007.
Johnson Charles and Jonathan Carter scored half centuries as West Indies kept alive their hopes of securing a World Cup quarter-finals berth with a six-wicket victory over United Arab Emirates at McLean Park in Napier on Sunday.
The UAE bowlers have been made the offer for bagging the scalp of the batting maestro in the Asia Cup opener.
Factbox on Saturday's World Cup Pool B match between India and United Arab Emirates.
Scotland and the United Arab Emirates secured the final two positions in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 after victories on the last day of the Super Six stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier New Zealand 2014 (CWCQ), in Christchurch, on Thursday.
The International Cricket Council released the provisional squads of the 12 teams for next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on Friday. However, co-hosts Australia and minnows Ireland decided against releasing the provisional list although they submitted 30 names to the parent body within the stipulated deadline.
Sean Williams ensured Zimbabwe would not become the first top tier side to lose to United Arab Emirates when his counter-attacking half century secured a four-wicket victory in their World Cup clash in Nelson on Thursday.
Images from Pakistan's 129-run victory over the UAE in Wednesday's World Cup Group B match in Napier.
Tom Cooper took two wickets in a space of four balls before smashing an unbeaten 34 as Netherlands began their ICC World Twenty20 qualifying campaign with a comfortable six-wicket win over United Arab Emirates in a Group B match in Sylhet on Monday.
Opener Ahmed Shehzad missed out on a deserved century but Pakistan cruised past United Arab Emirates by 129 runs in their ICC World Cup Pool B clash.
Nepal made history when it qualified for its maiden major ICC event on Wednesday, progressing to the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 by virtue of a five wickets victory over Hong Kong in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
West Indies captain Jason Holder praised his team's effort in the do-or-die clash against United Arab Emirates on Sunday and will next look to target the batting of likely World Cup quarter-final opponents New Zealand in Wellington next week.
Images from the ICC World Cup match played between Zimbabwe and The United Arab Emirates on Thursday
Indian players failed to make a mark as Australians and South Africans swept the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Annual Awards with Steve Smith clinching the coveted trophies of Cricketer of the Year and the Test Cricketer of the Year.
Photos of the Pool B game between West Indies and United Arab Emirates being played in Napier
Take a look at the United Arab Emirates squad.
Virat Kohli scored a confident 136 and shared a 213-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane (73) as India cruised to an easy six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their Asia Cup opener, in Fatullah, on Wednesday night.
India will look to complete a hat-trick of victories when they take on minnows United Arab Emirates in Saturday's World Cup match.
Virat Kohli was unquestionably the top player, but the most valuable player index (MVPI) suggests that Shakib Al Hasan had an equally good World T20 even though his team Bangladesh fared poorly.
Strangely, despite four wins on the trot, none of India's players have even figured in the top 20 of the MVPI table.
The West Indian has blasted his way to the top of Rediff.com's Most Valuable Players ratings for the World Cup with the South African skipper close on his heels.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji are back with Rediff.com's World Cup Most Valuable Players ratings.
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