UAE appoint Owais Shah as interim head coach

Former England batsman Owais Shah has been given a three-month contract as UAE's interim head coach. The contract follows his 15-day stint as coaching consultant during UAE's 2-1 series victory against Oman last month, where he is said to have struck a rapport with the players.

David East, CEO of the Emirates Cricket Board, said, "We are very pleased to confirm that Owais will continue working with Emirates Cricket as Interim Head Coach for a three-month period. In a short time, Owais has developed a strong rapport with the players and Emirates Cricket support staff, and we expect to see gains, both in development and on the scoreboard, from his involvement as we enter a very busy playing schedule."

The Emirates Cricket Board will look for a full-time replacement for Aaqib Javed who resigned from the post in April this year, ending a three-year stint. Shah, who has business interests outside of cricket, is not seen as a long-term prospect. He came into contention after assisting Paul Franks - another temporary coach - as a batting consultant earlier this year during a UK tour.

UAE do not have any international games scheduled during Shah's contract period, but may face Pakistan A and England Lions.