Tandon eyes spot in UAE World Cup squad

Mohammad Abdullah, Senior Sports Reporter

The UAE cricketer Ansh Tandon is aspiring to claw his way back into the national team from the reserves at the World Cup in Australia.

The UAE qualified for the T20 World Cup, which will be played in Australia later this year. This will be the UAE’s maiden appearance at the Twenty20 World Cup, having played two 50-over World Cups in 1996 and 2015.

Tandon was in the reserves when the UAE qualified for the World Cup. He is working hard to get into main squad in Australia.

“I am very much hopeful of my selection in the team. I have been working hard for that. I want to stake my claim on the back of a good performance. If I scored a fifty, I want to convert it into a century. I hope my hard work will pay dividends,” said Tandon.

Tandon said that he is confident UAE will surprise everyone at the world Cup.

“We are a very good team and can spring a surprise or two in Australia. We will look to go deep into the tournament. We are not going there just to be there rather leave a mark,” added the UAE batsman.

He was speaking on the sidelines of opening of Alfa gym. It will be first of its kinds. With the state of art facility, the gym will focus on promoting fitness among the residents.

Dr Asoo Palany, the founder and head coach of Alfa Fitness, vowed to add a new dimension to the  fitness of the athletes through his innovative ways and techniques.

Tandon, who was the guest of honour, said he is looking forward to work out at the newly opened facility.

“I think it is an impressive set up. Being a sport person, I am a fitness freak. I am always ready to promote a healthy life, rather I think it is my social responsibility to increase awareness about fitness,” said the UAE cricketer.

The gym was opened on April 1, marking the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Tandon was all praise for the UAE coach Robin Singh. He credited the coach for their qualification for the cricket extravaganza.

“Robin sir has made a tremendous impact on the team. He is very motivating and knows how to get the best out of his players.

“We have already achieved so much under him. We qualified for the T20 World Cup, won the plate in U-19 World Cup and made a mark in the women’s cricket also.”

Robin Singh is a former Indian cricketer, who has played over 100 ODIs and have been the coach of several teams in franchise cricketer across the globe.

He was the coach of Indian Premier League’s most successful team Mumbai Indians for three years. He led them to title in2013. Robin has been a part of the Mumbai Indians’ coaching set up since then. Tandon expressed his confidence for the UAE’s qualification for the 50-over World Cup to be held in India next year.

“I am confident we will make cut for the 50-over World Cup also under the guidance of Robin sir. We are already on the second spot behind Oman and top two teams will qualify for the event.

“Oman are ahead of us because they have played more matches than the UAE by the end of the round, I am confident we will dismantle them from the top position and will qualify as the group leaders,” he added.

The top two team from every group will directly qualify for the 50-over World Cup.

Ansh rose to fame when he was included into the fold of Kings XI Punjab. He credits the short stint with the IPL giants as a turning point of his career.

“It was great experience. I got to learn a lot from them. IPL is one such platform where you get to interact with the world’s best players in a single tournament.

“I am looking forward to play in other leagues of the World. I am in talks with a couple of teams in two leagues and hope to finalize the deal soon,” he concluded.