Dubai Zahirians Hunt for Two in Row

Match facts
Friday, June 1, 2012
Start time 0630 HRS

Big Picture

Mohammed Hillal the Dubai Zahirians acting Captain for SUPER CUP 2012, he is ruled out for rest of two big games on upcomming two weeks due to knee injury. while Mohammed Siraj the dubai zahirians wicket keeping batsman took his place and going to lead the side isteated absence of hillal in second semi finals of SUPER CUP 2012 against Karachi Tigers on comming friday in wonderland park.

Siraj on hillal's absence " its a big lost to leave a opening seamer, but we have to go with this and we have to done for proveing to every one the team is not depend on a player"With top orders evenly matched and Dubai Zahirians shading the bowling battle, this is where DZCC score heavily over their opponents. The line-up comprising Rilwan, Haithar, Faris and Fasir is far more reliable and powerful than the one comprising Karachi Tigers previous two games, or variations of it. anyhow DZCC are more dependent on their top order than Karachi Tigers, although Shuhaib did make his first proper contribution in the last league game against same oppenent.

Form guide
(most recent first)
Dubai Zahirians      WLLWW
Karachi Tigers        LWWWL

Team combination
Barring last-minute fitness problems, Karachi Tigers are certain to play the same XI that won them first two Leauge games to reach the semi finals.A couple of Dubai Zahirians players have in concerns. Mohammed Hillal missed because of a strain and was replaced by Mohammed Siraj, who impressed with 24 off 11 balls in four weeks ago. Arafath is likely to be fit, though, so either Irshad and Prasad will be in, who has also performed well, could make way to Irshad because of weekness in bowling department after Hillal's Absence.

Watch out for …
 Mohammed Faris with 43* (26) and 33/2 (3 overs), also winning the man of the match award to put his team in Semi finals last week against Karachi Tigers. while Mohammed Siraj the dubai zahirians wicket keeping batsman and skipper could be the man on his come back after four weeks.

Dubai Zahirians (Possible)  : Siraj (C), Haithar, Rilwan, Faris, Imran, Fasir, Roshan, Shuhaib, Rafeek, Irshad and Arafath (12th man : Prasad)

Stats and trivia

• Dubai zahirians have had the best Seamers of the tournament. They've taken the most wickets at the best average and economy rate - 48, 16.20 and 6.09. Their attack of choice in recent games has been Hillal, Haithar and Faris, with Shuhaib and Irshad chipping in.

Quotes
"He told me I was just one innings away from returning to form. He has been fantastic as a leader and I am happy that I could justify the faith he showed in me."Mohammed Rilwan on Hillal's leadership.

Virtual final for Dubai Zahirians

Match facts
Friday May 25, 2012
Start time 0630

Big Picture

The task is straightforward for Dubai Zahirians. They have to win this game to secure a berth in the playoffs. Why it has come down to a last-minute scramble to make the final four for a team that possesses the likes of Faris, Haithar, Rilwan, Imran, Fasir and Hillal is a bit baffling. It shows how unpredictable this edition of the league has been. Here, they will be up against the First-placed Karachi Tigers, who have to play for except to keep no1 possition on the table in playoff's.Zahirians terminated Punjab Cricket Club copule of days ago and cut off the chances of progressing with a clinical win in Wonderland.


Form guide
Karachi Tigers  WLLWW
Dubai zahirians  WLLLW

Players to watch
Mohammed Hillal the Zahirians all-rounder winning the Man of the Match in last game and another all-rounder Mohammed Haithar took 2 wickets and scored 36* while Mohammed Rilwan countinue his form in last two games as a opener for Dubai Zahirians.

DZCC Zahirians (probable) : Hillal, Faris, Haithar, Rilwan, Fasir, Imran, Shuhaib, Rafeek, Irshad, Roshan and Arafath

Stats and trivia

• Mohammed Haithar and Mohammed Hillal are the only two Zahirians bowlers who have taken more than Five wickets in two games.
• Mohammed Rilwan the zahirians higest scorer with 84 runs in two games.

 Quotes

"They really support me as captain. As a young captain, you fall short of ideas at times. But they have been very helpful." Mohammed Hillal on the benefit of having players like Haithar, Faris and Rilwan to assist him.

Dasthakir and Siraj missed, Hillal to Lead

Match facts
Friday, May 11, 2012, Wonderland Park
Start time 0630 hrs

Big Picture
Dubai Zahirians haven't won their previous home series, but a failure to close out this one will cause the most criticism. While the other contests were against teams near the top of the rankings, this one is against a side that was struggling to find its feet in UAE cricket. A series that was expected to be all one-way traffic is now level at both teams view, with DZCC having already achieved their pre-tour ambition of winning a Series in out side the home.

other hand skipper Dasthakir and his assistant Siraj to missed due to minnor injury.all rounder hillal to to lead first in a big stage (super cup 2012).hillal told "its going to be a big deal to lead the DZCC in big stage like this , but anyhow its time to show something that i have to"Dubai Zahirians With five wins in their previous seven games, they are undoubtedly favourites, a concept so vital to most sporting contests, but considered taboo in the short format games. They have earned the tag.

Form guide
Dubai Zahirians - WWWLL
 
In the spotlight 
the new adding team which was included all time best performers from dubai zahirians, Mohammed Faris, Mohammed Rilwan, Mohammed Imran, Mohammed Fasir and Mohammed Haithar. the team sprit going to be more high that was never seen before because of all legents to dream one it was SUPER CUP 2012.
 
DZCC Zahirians (probable) : Hillal, Faris, Haithar, Rilwan, Fasir, Imran, Shuhaib, Malinga, Rafeek, Irshad, Roshan, Arafath and Nisar.
 
Quotes
"I have doubts about the ability of some of the batsmen to play on these tracks.Mohammed Haithar seems to be forever expecting the short ball; he was so back inside the crease and got out to a full delivery.Hillal the DZCC acting skipper for SUPER CUP 2012 to blog last night.

Mohammed Arafath Back.

THE BOOST RETURN
 Mohammed Arafath the DZCC wicket keeping Batsman,There was a time when he is form was the be-all and end-all for DZCC, suprise he is back after 10 months.when he isn't making the batsman's life a misery. He admits it has been difficult readjusting following the first long-term Failure of his career and was denied the chance to relieve some frustrations when runs washed out DZCC's net session at Wonderland Park last week.I'm doing everything I can to get myself back to where I was. However, one player who probably won't mind some extra time to put his feet up is

"It's always a challenge to play against better sides. This team has so much potential. Everyone has got a role, batsmen, bowlers and fielders and they all know what to do. If plan A doesn't work the captain is there to implement plan B. We have to take key points and work to that."Though progress has been smooth, DZCC are not without dilemmas. The first is a pleasant, selectorial one. Mohammad Razeen & Mohammed Rikaz has yet to play a part in the last seven months.

Now I know my role a bit better," he said. "I had it set in my mind that I was going to be nice and positive through coming series because in the past in DZCC I probably wasn't as positive as I would have liked to have been.What DuabiZahirians haven't done, however, is beat a top side in nearly two years. "Winning is a habit," said Arafath. "We're aware that we've come close recently. It's the key moments in games that we've let slip. But we have been creating opportunities to win."Hopefully I'll win one more tournement we can keep table again in UAE," he said with a smile.

finally he said, "But the best advice I got was when I was told that when I started playing cricket I did so as I loved the game. At that point I wasn't thinking of playing for Zahira and so why think about it now, I was asked. That set me thinking and slowly I regained my confidence and got back to normal.""That was something I found it tough to deal with initially but slowly got used to that as well and started to enjoy my batting once again."

Siraj Aware of Fitness Challenge

 Mohammed Siraj , Dubai Zahirians wicket keeping batsman , is aware that issues regarding his weight and fitness are likely to remain throughout his domestic career but he is determined to show that he is worthy of leader.when he have secure draw the series couple of weeks ago against NICC in wonderland park.

Mohammed Siraj was handed his first call-up to a squad after 6 weeks as a replacement for Mohammed Razeen last year, following a productive few months in the short format set-up. He could yet be considered for the game in WLP although team director Mohammed Farman said Siraj still had "significant work" to do. "Fitness is a key factor and everyone has to work hard on their fitness - some more than others," Siraj said. "It's probably an issue that will stay with me, but I'm not frustrated. The more work you do, the better you feel. Hopefully I am doing the right things now."

"But the best advice I got was when I was told that when I started playing cricket I did so as I loved the game. At that point I wasn't thinking of playing for Zahira and so why think about it now, I was asked. That set me thinking and slowly I regained my confidence and got back to normal.""That was something I found it tough to deal with initially but slowly got used to that as well and started to enjoy my batting once again."

Zahirians's top order is under pressure going into this series following their failure in the last sesson during the 5-3 compration. They were often rendered scoreless by top orders in that series. Although NICC's attack doesn't possess the same quality as before they does, the pitches, especially in wonderland, should offer assistance."Our players are capable of improving their performances against this type of bowling and being a lot better than we were against NICC. Only time will tell how much of an improvement we can make."Anas for official page.

However, Siraj's batting is more of a problem, with him unable to exit the slump which worsened during the Friendly Match 2011. He scored 16 runs in that campaign and has posted 9 and 7 in the first two short format matches. "We are pretty confident that given the same opportunities Mohammed Siraj will repay us the different way. I believe he has got through to the start of the 2012 to sort it out and we are confident he well and truly will have it sorted before then." 

Team no longer dependent on anyone - Dasthakir

When he came for his online briefing on Sunday afternoon, Mohammed Dasthakir wasn't sure that Zahirians were assured of a place in Dubai Lankan Lions Tournement in - April 2011.It's been a strange sort of March 2011 for Dubai Zahirians, with three consecutive wins against the lesser sides sandwiched by losses to Jumeirah X1 and Shiba Riders . But having avoided the potential banana skins, they will be dangerous opponents for anyone.

"We'll meet later and identify our best combination," said Dastha. "We all respect what Sanaz,Siraj,Razeen,Rikaz,Hillal and Arafath has done for the team in the recent past. they are our most experienced players." The past tournaments has yet to see a monumental effort from all these players, and dastha suggested it was a good sign that the team was no longer dependent on anyone. "Before, when sanaz or anyone got out, we used to crumble," he said. "That's not the case with the present crop. When they got out early against Rafals Dubai DC last Month, we still made good total in board. In the last game, young Ayub and Shadeek stepped up. I think it's a good thing that we've had contributions from different individuals."

What DuabiZahirians haven't done, however, is beat a top side in nearly two years. "Winning is a habit," said Dastha. "We're aware that we've come close recently. It's the key moments in games that we've let slip. But we have been creating opportunities to win."Hopefully I'll win one tournement we can keep table first again in UAE," he said with a smile.

"With time, we'll get back to winning matches. After the Rafals Hotel SC second game, I told them: 'We didn't get beaten. We gave the game away'. Everything we set out to do, we did. Rasmi went out and played the way he can. We then had Rikaz coming in and give us even more impetus. We were way ahead of the rate. All we had to do was bat through. We didn't apply enough thought."

Arafath doubt for Sharjah Tour

"substantial" fracture to Mohammed Arafath's finger, which threatens to rule him out of the Sharjah tour and few weeks ahead. It means Dubai Zahirians head home with various issues hanging over four of their squad with just four days remaining before they leave for the sharjah.including Sanaz,Roshan and Saflin(tito).

Arafath was ruled out of the final match of DZCC between Royal Ascot Hotel the series in Wonderland after X-rays revealed a fracture to the middle finger on his left hand, which he sustained in Adelaide but was only picked up more than a week later. He flew out of WLP as the last game unfolded and will see a specialist immediately on his return to the DZCC.It is expected that the results will be known by the time Mohammed Shemir, the Dubai zahirians team IT Supporter, sits down with the selectors on Saturday afternoon to discuss the injury situation and Dasthakir is bracing himself for the worst.

Dasthakir said,"He's got a broken finger, he's going to see a specialist tomorrow to decide what the best course of action is to remedy that situation," he said. "There's obviously a chance that he's not going to feature. They went for an X-ray and I think everyone was reasonably surprised to see it was quite a substantial fracture." "He is [important], particularly in those conditions as well, being able to clear the ropes in the manner that he does," Dastha said. "It's a big loss for us potentially. Hopefully there will be an opportunity for him to play. If he isn't available someone is going to have to fill those shoes."

However Sanaz added that he thought Mohammed Saflin, who has also flown home due to vacation, so Sanaz would be available for selection for Zahirians's opener, and is expecting everyone to feel refreshed when they tackle their next challenge in Sharjah. "Hopefully everyone's going to be raring to go for that comming game. Hopefully everyone's rested as well so that DZCC are ready to go."

Will Zahirians free up or freeze up?

Match Facts

January 21, Wonderland

Start time 07:30 Local Dubai

Big Picture

The Great Wanderers Choke only highlighted the concerns that were present from the first game in last week. What if Dubai Zahirians's middle-order collapsed? Can Mohammed Rasmi and the men below him shoulder the burden?Mohammed Arafath and Mohammed Siraj ensured that situation never arose in the first game with their serene approach, change significantly once Mohammed Sanaz returns for the upcomming weeks: The lower order wouldn't remain so brittle and therefore this trial by fire is perhaps a great learning curve.If Mohammed Faris, and Mohammed Roshan, who is likely to play the next game, can get in a good knock under pressure in this week matches, it will help DZCC to build the momemtem again.

Form guide

JET 11 Cricket : WLLWW

Dubai Zahirians:  WWLWL

Players to watch out for…

Mohammed Rasmi He turned in a matured performance in the first game last week but threw his wicket away in the second game. The two games also showed that he is trying hard to correct his weakness. the habit of pressing that front leg too far across and having to play around it to the seamers - and he has two more games to get used to soaking up the pressure and leading the top order.

Team news 

Fayaz is likely to come in. Haithar's replacement Saflin is yet to open the score in wonderland, so Rasmi could open the batting with Mohammed Arafath. DZCC, if they choose to go in with four bowlers, could give Rikaz and Roshan to go with Hillal.

Dubai Zahirians (possible): 1 Dasthakir (capt), 2 Faris, 3 Rikaz, 4 Arafath, 5 Ziyad, 6 Roshan, 7 Siraj (wk), 8 Saflin, 9 Fayaz, 10 Rasmi and 11 Hillal.

Quotes

"I have doubts about the ability of some of the batsmen to play on these tracks.Mohammed Arafath seems to be forever expecting the short ball; he was so back inside the crease and got out to a full delivery.Dasthakir the DZCC skipper to blog last night.

'Now I know my role a bit better' - Arafath

Mohammed Dasthakir has praised the growing maturity of Mohammed Arafath after his match-winning fifty secured DZCC a 2-0 White wash against Shiba Riders. Arafath varied the pace of his innings cleverly and finished with 51 off 23 balls after accelerating with two consecutive sixes off Mohammed Zaneer to set up the total. "He does see the game really well," Dastha said. "Even the way the partnership between him and Mohammed Haithar developed, holding back the way they did and knowing the right time to put the foot down, really stood out."

DZCC were in a tricky situation at 3 for 29 when Arafath arrived to meet haithar and the pair put on recover the position. It was an important display for Arafath as his previous best performances had come in Ajman and WLP, at times when many supporters were sleeping or more concerned about cricket. This innings was shown in prime time and spectators saw brutal power mixed with some subtler touches."I thought about that coming into this series so it's pleasing to be able to show the people and team-mates that I can do it in DZCC," he said. "I'm happy we won and I contributed well to the team. It was a good feeling and I enjoyed it."

"Now I know my role a bit better," he said. "I had it set in my mind that I was going to be nice and positive through this series because in the past in DZCC I probably wasn't as positive as I would have liked to have been. There were a couple of things I wanted to do this series and probably in Nad-al-shiba, with the situation of the game, I had to play like that anyway." Dasthakir was pleased with his team's quick transition from the Cricket arena and his side will build well on the performance in the second game in Nad-al-shiba. "It was a very good win," he said. "It was made to look reasonably comfortable because of the couple of partnerships through the middle and how well Arafath played."

Arafath prepared to bide his time

Arafath Mohammed the DZCC wicket keeping Batsman,There was a time when form was the be-all and end-all for DZCC, but an evolving side has shown they can win without contributions from their leading batsman. That should give him some breathing space after he admitted to finding it "quite hard" slotting back into UAE Domestic cricket following his four-match failure lay-off.

However, despite a slow start in Aveer, Arafath is not going to burden himself with undue pressure ahead of the upcomming series. His contributions since returning to DZCC colours in the second Knokout tour at Jumaira Park - one match ahead of schedule due to a long injury list - have been limited to 185 runs in five innings. In DZCC's two victories he contributed 4 and 3 and looked like a player with plenty of rust to shake off.

That should hardly be surprising after being out of action since July, but such are the expectations that surround Arafath questions start to be asked when he isn't making the batsman's life a misery. He admits it has been difficult readjusting following the first long-term Failure of his career and was denied the chance to relieve some frustrations when runs washed out DZCC's net session at Wonderland Park. "It's tough when you come back from a long injury or Failure, both mentally and physically and also turning up at Aveer and playing that game when I wasn't meant to," he said. "It is quite difficult and I'm finding it quite hard at the moment, but I'm doing everything I can to get myself back to where I was. However, one player who probably won't mind some extra time to put his feet up is Mohammed Saflin (tito). He has rejoined the squad in Srilanka having stayed behind in Dubai zahirians to have a third injection to be seen how much of a part he plays in the warm-up matches.

DZCC look for more discipline in bowling

DZCC's deal is not quite done yet. Two losts from two, in this last series with JBS, at least means onward progress to the next match rests in their own hands. Regardless of the result between JBS SC at AL-Qusas, they will be aiming to keep their game in working order when they take on the JBS SC this week again.

"Our preparation is going really well at the moment,"Arafath, DZCC's opening batsman, said after an energetic training session at the AL-Qusas. "You have to have different strategies against different sides. You can't go with the same strategy as we did against JBS SC few days ago. We have to look at their strengths batting and bowling and prepare accordingly to that." DZCC will be confident, despite a poor last record against JBS SC; they've won only 10 of the last 12 encounters between the JBS. "You cannot deny they are won last two macthes. We lost the series earlier this year (3-2) but I reckon we should've won it and we beat them in the last few months. We are confident.

"It's always a challenge to play against better sides. This team has so much potential. Everyone has got a role, batsmen, bowlers and fielders and they all know what to do. If plan A doesn't work the captain is there to implement plan B. We have to take JBS SC key points and work to that."Though progress has been smooth, DZCC are not without dilemmas. The first is a pleasant, selectorial one. Mohammad Razmar&Mohammed Rikaz has yet to play a part in the last three month, despite intense speculation before each of the two games. If the game becomes a dead rubber, he may well get a look-in. "It's a very healthy sign that your bench strength is such that good players have to sit out. The problem is for selectors in picking a team - if a guy is bowling well, how can you drop him? It is a healthy sign."

"We are very strict when we do practice and we always call no exrta in the nets. At times what happens is that pressure builds up and you stretch and strive and that is where you go wrong. It shouldn't happen at all. I don't think there will be that much pressure against JBS SC next match - we want to keep winning. It's a crime to bowl a no-ball or wide."

MOHAMMED ARAFATH
PLAYER - DZCC