Abu Dhabi: 17-year-old Ethan D’Souza, who has been performing exceptionally well in domestic cricket, has received his first invitation to join the UAE senior men’s national team. He will be included in the 22-player squad for the upcoming One Day International series against West Indies, which is set to commence at Sharjah Stadium on June 4th.
Ethan D’Souza, a student in Grade 12 at Abu Dhabi Indian School, found out about his selection for the team by checking his phone after leaving school. He recently led Team Abu Dhabi to victory in the U19 ECB Inter-Emirates tournament.
Exceptional performance in domestic matches :
“Upon receiving a message from our coach in our WhatsApp group, I’ve been trying to absorb everything,” shared 17-year-old D’Souza, who undergoes training at Zayed Cricket Academy. “I immediately shared the news with my mom and dad, and they were just as amazed as I was. Achieving this goal meant a lot to us, especially to my dad, so I’m thrilled to have accomplished it for our entire family.”
Due to Ethan’s impressive performance in domestic matches, he secured a place in a training camp for the pre-selection senior team. Subsequently, the Emirates Cricket Board extended him an invitation, building on his earlier debut for the UAE U19 team. Ethan’s next objective is to further enhance his skills and knowledge within the senior team setup.
D’Souza expressed his enthusiasm for training, describing it as enjoyable. He found it effortless to bond with the squad, as everyone has been supportive and helpful. Despite being a junior player, D’Souza feels a strong connection with the team and eagerly looks forward to playing alongside them. His current objective is to focus on the upcoming series, aiming for victory and utilising the opportunity to learn from both his teammates and opponents about the intricacies of playing 50-over cricket. The star further said, “I want to express my gratitude to all my coaches at Zayed Cricket Academy, who have been with me throughout the years. I joined the academy when I was just seven years old, and now I have achieved my initial goal. They have provided me with a platform to showcase my skills, and even though it has been a long journey so far, there is still so much more ahead.”
Ethan is not the only Zayed Cricket Academy graduate in the UAE squad, as he is joined by Jonathan Figy. Jonathan, like Ethan, is an elegant left-handed batsman. He recently returned to Abu Dhabi after completing his studies in the UK and made an impact by scoring two half-centuries for Team Abu Dhabi in the recently concluded D50 tournament. Jonathan was associated with Zayed Cricket Academy from the age of eight to 19. The selection of both Ethan and Jonathan is a proud moment for everyone connected to the academy.
Structured development programme :
According to Mervyn Pereira, the Manager of Zayed Cricket Academy, Ethan is recognized as one of the most promising young talents in the UAE. Over the past few years, Ethan has dedicated himself to improving his fitness and enhancing his skills in all aspects of the game. As for Jonathan, he has made special efforts to enhance his fitness and fielding abilities in the past year, focusing on areas that the coaches identified as needing improvement. Pereira expressed great pride in the academy as both players’ inclusion in the UAE squad is seen as a direct outcome of their clear pathway programme.
Matt Boucher, the CEO of Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub, which serves as the host for Zayed Cricket Academy, remarked, “These two talented individuals have become exemplary figures within the academy. Their accomplishments are a testament to the training proficiency of ZCA and will serve as inspiration for other young aspiring cricketers.”
Both Ethan and Jonathan will be aiming to make a lasting impression during the West Indies series, as the UAE’s ICC World Cup Qualifying campaign is set to commence in Zimbabwe later this month. They hope to perform well enough to secure their spots in the team for the upcoming tournament.
Live Broadcast :
The live broadcast rights for the three-match UAE-West Indies ODI series have been secured by Star Sports for the Indian sub-continent, both through linear TV coverage and OTT streaming on Fancode in India. This series holds significant importance for both teams as it will serve as valuable practice ahead of the ICC World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe next month.
Following the conclusion of the ODI series, the two teams will depart for the crucial tournament, which will determine the remaining two spots for the 10-team ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Mubashshir Usmani, the General Secretary of Emirates Cricket Board, expressed delight in partnering with Star Sports and Fancode for the UAE-West Indies ODI series. He acknowledged the growing global fan base of UAE cricket and expressed excitement in presenting their talented players to the passionate cricket-loving Indian audience. He also highlighted the significance of the series being played at an iconic venue that has hosted the highest number of ODIs in history, ensuring an enjoyable experience for fans.