Suri not picked in squad for first ODI against Ireland

Batsman Chirag Suri, who became the first UAE player to win an IPL contract last month, has not been named in the national squad for the first of two ODIs against Ireland, which will be held on March 2.

Suri, who was picked up by Gujarat Lions for his base price of INR 10 lakh (approximately US $15,000) in last month's auction, was a part of the UAE squad in the Tri-nation ODI series against Hong Kong and Scotland in January but did not play a game. His last appearance for UAE was a List A match against England Lions in December. He is yet to play an ODI or a T20I for UAE.

Wicketkeeper Saqlain Haider and batsman Usman Mushtaq, who, like Suri, were part of the Tri-nation series squad but did not get a game, are also not part of the squad against Ireland. Batsmen Rameez Shahzad and Laxman Sreekumar have been recalled to the 14-member team. Both Shahzad and Sreekumar last played an ODI for UAE in August last year, although Shahzad featured in the Desert T20 Challenge earlier this year.

The squad will be led by Rohan Mustafa, with Shaiman Anwar named as vice-captain. The second match of the series will be played on March 4.

UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (capt), Adnan Mufti, Ahmed Raza, Amjad Javed, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Mohammad Naveed, Mohammad Qasim, Muhammad Usman, Qadeer Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar (vice-capt), Zahoor Khan, Rameez Shahzad, Laxman Sreekumar