'They need someone to motivate them to get to the next level' - Chaminda Vaas eyes vacant UAE head coach role

Sri Lanka great Chaminda Vaas has applied for the role of head coach of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national team ahead of the ODI World Cup Qualifiers. The Emirates Cricket Board has set the deadline for the applications on June 26, a day prior to UAE’s final group stage match at the Qualifier in Zimbabwe.

Notably, Mudassar Nazar took charge on a temporary basis following the exit of Robin Singh in March 2023. However, with Nazar’s term coming to an end, it is understood that Vaas is likely to fill the vacancy. Vaas stated that he has been closely following the UAE team and believes that he could be of help to the side in developing a mentality for the forthcoming events.

“I’ve been following the UAE’s fortunes recently and they have a very good team with a good blend of youngsters. They have a well-balanced side. I feel they need someone to motivate them to get to the next level. Some of the players are very talented and very capable of competing with players from any other countries,” Vaas told ‘The National’.

My first goal would be to make it to Asia Cups: Chaminda Vaas

Vaas further explained his vision for the national team and added that franchise cricket would help them compete against other Asian teams and eventually in the World Cup. 

“There is so much franchise cricket around the world and the boys are very keen to play in that. In the meantime, they will play for the Emirates team as well and try to compete with the other leading boards in Asia. I think UAE have a very good chance to compete with the top Asian teams,” Vaas said.

“My first goal would be to make it to Asia Cups and compete with the subcontinental countries, then the World Cup. You need to handle the boys in a different way. Not everybody is equal, but I would like to bring the UAE players together and help them play as a team,” he added