MARGAO
Goa-born Aayan Afzal Khan, an 16-year-old schoolboy from Sharjah, will be on the flight to Australia as part of UAE’s squad for the T20 World Cup.
Aayan started his career with United Arab Emirates and than represented UAE in the under-19 World Cup. He donned the colours of Deccan Gladitars, Sharjah Fujariah Pacific Gymkhana and MGM Cricket Club.
Although uncapped at senior level, Aayan has played men’s domestic cricket for some years now. He was also the outstanding player when UAE’s age-group side beat West Indies at the Under-19 World Cup in the Caribbean earlier this year.
CP Rizwan will captain the UAE at the T20 World Cup. His predecessor as captain, Ahmed Raza, has made the 15-man squad for the competition, but Rohan Mustafa, the country’s most-capped player, has been omitted.
“It's a dream come true. The hard work has paid off," said Aayan. "A wonderful journey to begin for national cricket - first U16 , U19 and then now the men’s team. I cremember a few days back I got called upon to be a reserve in the men’s Asia Cup qualifiers held in Oman. It really gave me a big boost."
"Unfortunately we could not make it to the Asia Cup but the coach and my teammates have shown a lot of trust in me and promoted me as an all-rounder. It's really a great achievement for me to be in the squad at such a young age of 17. I would thank my dad and my coaches who motivated me to play my own game and worked on my weaknesses," Aayan said.
"Once you get a chance, you have to give your 100% to prove yourself and do it for your country, which I had done in the U19 World Cup against the West Indies which led us to win the plate finals. I am hoping for the same and a good debut for myself in the prestigious ICC World Cup in Australia," Aayan told The Goan over telephone from the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
Born in Borda, Margao, Aayan has made his family proud. “We are feeling proud that our son played a key role for the UAE in the U-19 World Cup. His real innings begins now and I am confident that he will play well for the UAE in the T20 World Cup in Australia," Aayan's father, Afzal Khan said.
