Impressive UAE aim to make a mark in the U19 Women's T20 World Cup
Squad
Theertha Satish (c), Vaishnave Mahesh, Samaira Dharnidharka, Lavanya Keny, Sanchin Singh, Rinitha Rajith, Indhuja Nandakumar, Siya Gokhale, Mahika Gaur, Avanee Sunil Patil, Archara Supriya, Rishitha Rajith, Geethika Jyothis, Sanjana Ramesh, Ishitha Zehra.
Schedule
January 14 v Scotland in Benoni
January 16 v India in Benoni
January 18 v South Africa in Benoni
Key Player - Theertha Satish
The 18-year-old UAE skipper has already appeared in 33 senior T20I games, scoring 823 runs at an average of 35.78 and a strike-rate of 109.58.
The top-scorer for UAE in the Women's T20 World Cup 2023 Qualifier, Theertha was impressive in the ACC Women's T20 Championship last year which UAE went on to win.
The left-hander was the Player of the Match in the final against Malaysia, scoring a half-century from the top of the order in the run chase.
🇲🇾🇦🇪 | ACC Women's T20 Championship Final
— Malaysia Cricket (@MalaysiaCricket) June 25, 2022
Half-Century for Theertha Satish. Amazing innings in the big final.
📺Watch Live ➡️ https://t.co/goajGDqosb#MALvUAE | #UAEvMAL#ACCWT20C | #AsiaCupQualifier | #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/dgJfDgtDl4
In the main Asia Cup tournament, which UAE qualified for the first time, Theertha was the only batter to make over 100 runs, also scoring the only fifty by a UAE player in the tournament.
Her talent was visible right from the get-go when she won the Player of the Match award on her debut for UAE in 2021 against Malaysia, scoring 46 off 48 balls after walking in at No.3.
The skipper will play a huge role in leading a talented group of women at the inaugural ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Expectations
With heavyweights India and hosts South Africa in their group, UAE have their task cut out and will hope to start their tournament on a winning note against Scotland.
It is notable that UAE have eight players with senior T20I experience in the side with the senior UAE team fielding quite a lot of young players in the Women's Asia Cup recently.
“UAE Women have enjoyed a very successful 2022, and through these successes we are now part of history by competing in the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup," head coach Najeeb Amar, a former Hong Kong all-rounder, said.
"However, we have no intent on resting on these successes. Our coaching and high-performance teams continue to invest in developing each player, and we will approach each match with a firm winning-mindset.”
UAE will be aiming for a top three finish and have the resources to do so with the squad boasting some big names in Vaishnave Mahesh, Induja Nandakumar and Samaira Dharnidharka, all of whom have played more than 30 T20Is for the senior team.
