Lalchand Rajput, the UAE coach, insists the national team’s T20 World Cup bid will benefit from the exposure provided by the DP World International League T20.
The UAE will play against New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan and Canada in the pool phase of the global tournament in February.
There is a heavy diet of 20-over cricket in the UAE between now and then, chiefly in the form of the ILT20. However, how much the UAE players are gaining from the competition is open to question.
Of the 15-man UAE squad who played at the qualifying tournament in Muscat in October, only six have ILT20 contracts.
Of those, only Muhammad Waseem, Alishan Sharafu and Junaid Siddique have been given consistent opportunities to excel by their sides so far this season.
Meanwhile, many players from their prospective World Cup opposition are key figures for sides in the ILT20, with an abundance of Afghan players in particular.
Rajput, though, is sure the tournament is still aiding UAE players.
“I think it's a good platform for them,” Rajput said. “It's the best thing to play, because you play with the best players of the world, you rub shoulders with them, then your game improves.
UAE head coach Lalchand Rajput. Chris Whiteoak / The National
“[You see] how they prepare themselves, you learn the nuances of the game. I think it's very important that they get to play, that is the main concern.
“If they get to play, and they play and perform, I think that's the best thing. And I'm sure ILT20 has helped UAE players.
“It's now the fourth season, and a lot of players are coming from ILT20 as well. A lot of players have been playing in that, like Alishan, Waseem, Junaid, [Mohammed] Rohid, Haider Ali, [Mohammed] Jawadullah, and Aayan Khan.
“A lot of players are there, and I'm sure this confidence will defin
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