Swapnil Patil

An aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman, Swapnil Patil was one of seven UAE players to make their ODI debuts against Scotland at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln in the final of the World Cup Qualifiers in February 2014. He came frustratingly close to a maiden ODI ton in that match. He was dropped off the penultimate ball and needed two off the final delivery of UAE's chase to reach a memorable century, but could only edge to midwicket for a single.

Originally a Mumbaikar, Patil played for Mumbai Under-19s and -22s. In 2005, he followed the offer of a job that would allow plenty of cricket in the UAE, and after a four-year qualification period made his first-class and List A debuts for the national side against Bermuda. He has since become a regular feature in their middle order, and was their first-choice wicketkeeper for the 2015 World Cup.
Liam Brickhill