ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: UAE demand more matches at the Highest Level

Mohammad Naveed celebrates after picking up the wicket of Solomon Mire

The high on spirits UAE cricket team has appealed to the ICC for the associate nations to play more matches at the highest level. They expressed their desire to play against the higher ranked teams. The UAE Captain, Mohammad Tauqir said, "The more we play at the highest level the more we can improve our cricket."

"The more opportunity given to the associate nations to play with the bigger teams it's an improvement for their game. When you play against them you get good exposure. It's good for the improvement of the game at the associate level. If we play only at associate level we cannot improve the game," added the 43-year-old.

In the future, ICC has planned to reduce the number of countries taking part in the 50-over World Cup from 14 to 10 which would make it difficult for the associate nations to take part in the grand event.

First match in the World cup after 19 years

UAE lost to Zimbabwe by 4 Wickets in their first group stage encounter in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. UAE recorded their highest one-day international score of 285-7 in the Group B clash while playing their second World Cup as they have already appeared in 1996 World Cup.

About the game with Zimbabwe earlier today, Tauqir said, "Another 25-30 runs it would have been a different result. It was Williams' man of the match performance that made the difference. If we had taken that wicket earlier it would have been different.”

"We had quite a few positives from the game. The batters batted well and the bowlers did a decent job, but it was definitely an opportunity missed," he added.

"It was a good game of cricket, it went to the wire and they won."

UAE play their next game against the high flying Ireland on 25th February, Wednesday in the ICC Cricket World Cup.