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The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of U.A.E. Armed Forces, General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan signing the visitors' book, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on January 25, 2017. The Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi is also seen. (PIB Photo)

Just ahead of Asia Cup, UAE remove Ahmed Raza as T20 skipper

Just one week before the opening of a T20 tournament in UAE, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has made a huge change by removing Ahmed Raza as skipper of UAE’s T20 side, replacing him with batter CP Rizwan.

Raza. however, will continue to remain UAE’s One-day International captain but the surprising decision just three days before their match against Kuwait in Al-Amerat, and two months before their T20 World Cup tournament in Australia.

A statement issued by the ECB did not reveal the reason but just said: “The committee believes, after extensive discussions, and following a detailed review of the side’s recent 50-over performance, by providing the respective captain’s with a sole-format-focus it creates a strong leadership succession plan, and encourages a singular commitment to fine-tuning strategic on-field components of the game.

“UAE’s High Performance unit believes this presents a solid opportunity to consider and open-up all options – player make-up and Captaincy – to take the game forward,” said the statement.

Raza has an outstanding record as T20I captain of the side, winning 18 of 27 matches. He was appointed as captain in 2019. His winning percentage in the format was an impressive 68 per cent. Raza had even spoken to ICC-cricket.com about his team’s performance in Australia for the T20 World Cup.

Rizwan had played seven T20Is, where he scored just 100 runs at an average of just 16.66. UAE feature on the opening day of the 2022 T20 World Cup action, meeting the Netherlands in Geelong in Group A of the first round.

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