Namibia has a new captain in the form of Sarel Burger and the 29-year-old is dreaming of leading the side to victory at the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2012 which will be played across the five venues from 13-24 March.

The top order batsman said ahead of the tournament that to qualify for the event from Group B would be a dream come true: "To qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 would be like a dream come true as this is something every cricket player in the world would love to do, to compete against the best in the world.

"We've been preparing by competing in the South African domestic competition known as the SAA competition, where we compete against all the franchises' amateur teams. The competition consists of a three-day competition as well as a 50-over and Twenty20 competition. That's given us a lot of cricket and chances to get our combinations right for the upcoming qualifiers."

Namibia qualified for the ICC WT20Q 2012 by virtue of reaching the final of the ICC Africa Division 1 Twenty20 competition, finishing runner-up to fellow African qualifier Uganda. The side is one of three from Africa in the event, with Kenya which automatically qualified as being part of the top six Associate and Affiliates in the world.

Burger believes there are a number of players to watch in the side, explaining: "Currently we have a lot of experienced players that have been playing for Namibia for a couple of years, the squad also has some new younger players coming through the ranks.

"Senior players which followers of the game will know include myself, Gerrie Snyman, Craig Williams, Louis Klasinga, Nicolas Scholtz while some of the younger players to watch are the likes of Raymond van Schoor, Ian Opperman and L.P van der Westhuizen."

Namibia are in Group B alongside Kenya and Uganda plus previous ICC World Twenty20 2010 qualifiers Ireland and the likes of Scotland, Oman, Italy and USA all sides which Burger has ensured the side has researched.

"We have really done some homework on all the teams in our group and certain game plans will be implemented. We played Ireland in the Intercontinental Cup and know that they are a very good side with a lot of experience but we certainly know a lot about their cricket.

"We played Kenya in Windhoek in a Twenty20 tournament consisting of eight games so we know what to expect there. We played Uganda in Uganda at the Africa qualifiers for this event earlier this year so we gained a lot of information on their game plans and style of cricket. Oman, Italy and USA are the three countries we do not have a lot of insight on but we will definitely not underestimate them, in Twenty20 it can go any team's way!"

Burger, who played for Namibia when the team last appeared in an ICC global event, the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, admitted some may not know too much about the side and how it's developed since then. "Cricket is one of the bigger sports in Namibia after soccer and rugby, but definably growing each year.

"We have got a very settled and mature side which has been coming together for the last couple of years. There are a couple of exciting big hitters in the side to watch as well as a lot of skilled bowlers that can do the job with the ball.

"We're developing the game here too and it is improving each year with lots of youngsters coming through the ranks. The cricket board and the country are backing us all the way and we hope to make the country proud by qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20 2012," concluded Burger.