Oscar Nauhaus Takes Helm of UAE Women's Cricket, Eyes World Cup Dream

A new era is dawning for UAE cricket, with a fresh face at the helm of the women's national team. Oscar Nauhaus, a coach with extensive experience in the country, has officially taken over as the head coach. His arrival follows closely on the heels of Ahmed Raza's appointment as the men's national team head coach, with both coaches starting their new roles within days of each other.

Nauhaus, who recently returned to the UAE after a stint with Namibia Cricket, will lead the women's team in their Emerging Nations Trophy campaign, kicking off with a T20 international against Ireland in Ajman. This marks a significant step for the program, with Nauhaus stepping into a role previously held by Raza.

The overarching goal for both the men's and women's teams, according to Nauhaus, is to solidify their One Day International (ODI) status and strive for appearances on the global stage. "Having spoken to some of the senior players, I think every cricketer’s dream is to try and get to a World Cup," Nauhaus stated. He outlined the pathway through regional and global qualifiers as the route to achieving this dream.

While acknowledging the long-term ambition of reaching a World Cup, Nauhaus is focused on establishing robust processes and a consistent day-to-day approach within the team. The UAE women's team has already qualified for the Under-19 T20 World Cup next year, and the senior team's next objective is to emulate this success. They have previously come close to qualification, narrowly missing out to Sri Lanka in a tournament held in Abu Dhabi.

Nauhaus expressed optimism about the team's future, highlighting their young age profile combined with significant international experience. "It is a young group with a very strong pipeline coming through," he observed. His decision to return to the UAE was influenced by the well-developed academy structure and the overall progress he witnessed in the country's cricket infrastructure.

Having coached at Zayed Cricket Academy for five years, Nauhaus was familiar with the environment. He noted the significant improvements in the overall structure and the increased competition driven by a larger player base. "People tend to look at on-field results as the end outcome, but internally the feeling I get from everyone across women’s and men’s progress is there has been a big improvement," he commented.

Nauhaus's passion for coaching stems from a desire to positively impact cricketers, a calling he recognized early in his life. His own playing career was cut short at 22, leading him to pursue a career in coaching and strength and conditioning. "Working with people and developing relationships is something I really value," he said, emphasizing his commitment to providing quality guidance to aspiring cricketers.