Current UAE national team skipper Ahmed Raza has been drafted into RCB’s training camp ahead of IPL 2020. The left-arm spinner has been one of the mainstay players of the UAE national since a decade now. Also not to forget he’s one of the best-left arm spinners going around in the associate circuit. He’s been one of the most instrumental players for his national side in the recent past.
Along with Ahmed Raza, 19-year-old leg spinner Karthik Meiyappan has also joined the RCB camp as a net bowler. Karthik is one of the upcoming talents in the country and is touted to be the next big thing in UAE cricket.
The UAE captain was approached by Sridharan Sriram who is the head of scout for RCB. Incidentally, both Raza and Sriram had previously worked together since Sriram is also Australia’s spin bowling consultant. Therefore both have them worked during Australia’s last tour of UAE against Pakistan.
Ahmed Raza Joins RCB Training Camp
Talking about his introduction to the RCB camp by Sriram, Raza stated he was introduced as UAE captain which made him feel really nice. Also RCB batsmen Ab De Villiers, thanked the UAE skipper for his services to the RCB side.
“I was introduced to the players and support staff, and it was really nice for Sri [Sriram] to put in that word for me, He introduced me as the UAE captain. And can you imagine AB walking up to you and saying: ‘Thank you for helping us out.’ Seriously, it was surreal.” Raza said.
Meanwhile, Raza completed his 7-day quarantine at the team hotel and has started training with the RCB side. Since Raza is brought up in Sharjah, he knows the pitches better than anyone in the country. Which is why every inch of detail Ahmed provides to Virat Kohli and his men will be of absolute value ahead of the big IPL season.
Also Read: IPL 2020: Aakash Chopra Picks The Ideal Playing XI Of RCB
“This hotel is great, they have a fantastic team room, and when we have a private area of beach access as well And then it was great to be involved in my first training session at the ICC Academy as well, as it felt like going back home.” said the UAE skipper.
Furthermore, as captain of the national side, Ahmed Raza has led the UAE cricket team after they were hit by the match-fixing turmoil. In a situation of certainty, Ahmed Raza took over the captaincy from Mohammed Naveed last year when three of their key players were suspended by the ICC’s ASU unit on the grounds of being in contact with bookies.
