Qatar cricket team’s players and officials sporting ‘Tamim Al Majd’ t-shirts to show support to Qatar. Mohtashim Rasheed (fifth left, back row) is also present.
Eyeing more top-tier glory after their first major title-triumph in Thailand, Qatar has roped in seasoned Pakistani coach Mohtashim Rasheed to prepare the national side for September’s ICC World League Division 5 to be played in South Africa.
Mohtashim aka ‘Moti’ arrived in Qatar earlier this week and has already conducted a couple of training sessions with the national team’s players, details showed yesterday. The 48-year-old, who also played first class cricket in Pakistan, has vast coaching experience ranging from stints with Pakistan men and women national cricket teams apart from several junior outfits.
The Karachi-based Level 4 coach was associated with Pakistan team as fielding coach in the recent past and also served as head coach of women team.
He is also a part of coaching team of Peshawar Zalmi which won the last edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL).
“I have been given the task to prepare Qatar team for ICC World League Division 5 which I accepted as a challenge,” Mohtashim told The Peninsula in an exclusive chat.
“I will be associated with Qatar team for at least two months and will try to inject in the players whatever experience I have from coaching at top level,” he added.
Qatar were promoted to Division 5 after winning the ICC World Cricket League Asia Division 1 which was held in Thailand.
They defeated Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Thailand and Bhutan on their way to winning the title – their first ever ICC trophy.
Giving his assessment based on brief training sessions with the players, Mohtashim said: “The players are keen to learn which is very important. They are motivated after their victory in Thailand and are hungry for more titles.
“They know their basics and their fitness appears good. All I will try to do is to hone their skills,” said the seasoned coach.
The ICC World League Division 5 which will start in the first week of September will see Italy, Cayman Islands, Guemsey Vanuatu and Ghana in action apart from a team from European Qualifiers.
Qatar have been placed in Group A along with Italy, Cayman Islands and Guemsey.
“I am in the process of making extensive preparatory plans for the team. Obviously, the tournament will be a level up for Qatar and they will need to do a lot of hard work for that. I am hopeful I will help the team deliver their best performance in the tournament,” the new coach said.
Qatar will take on Cayman Islands in their opening match on September 3.
The Al Anabi will play their second match against Italy on September 4 before taking on Guemsey in their last group match which is scheduled on September 6.
The final of the tournament will be played on September 9.
