In the midst of the ongoing DP World ILT20 Season 2, UAE pacer Akif Raja took a moment to express his gratitude towards team captain David Warner for the invaluable support he has received. Ahead of their showdown against the Gulf Giants at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Akif praised the Australian skipper for being a guiding force throughout his time with the GMR Sports-owned Dubai Capitals.
“I’m very grateful to have David Warner as my Captain this season. It’s his faith in me that has helped me grow. He has given me a fixed role to work on, and I have focused on that. It’s a surreal experience with him as captain,” shared the right-arm medium-fast bowler.
Entering his second season with the Capitals, Akif feels a sense of belonging within the squad and is optimistic about the team’s future. “I feel more comfortable this time around since it is my second season in the ILT20 with the Dubai Capitals. This team is now like a family to me, with all the international players as well as the younger UAE players working closely together. We have won two of the three games that we have played till now, so the future of our team seems bright,” he added.
The ILT20 has proven to be a platform offering significant exposure to UAE players, enabling them to share the field with renowned international stars. Akif believes that this exposure will contribute to the improvement of the national team, citing the success of the U19 team that reached the final of the Asia Cup in 2023.
“Our improvement as an international team depends on how we perform as players in this league. Right now, we have two players in the XI (of all the teams), but if we can prove ourselves, it will show with the number of UAE players selected in the XI. The youngsters proved it in the U19 Asia Cup. So, this shows that we have a bright future as well,” concluded the 31-year-old pacer.
Akif’s journey in the DP World ILT20 Season 2, under the leadership of David Warner, not only highlights his personal growth but also underscores the potential for UAE players to make a lasting impact on the international stage.
The Sportz Planet Desk
