Sharjeel Khan, who won a brand new KIA Picanto Car by emerging as the man of the series in the Superstars Twenty20 tournament organised by Dubai Cricket Council, wants to race towards more glory.
Hailing from Pakistan’s city of Hyderabad, 23-year-old Khan who is yet have an UAE driving licence has been playing for Phoenix Medicines since 2009. “I have an employment visa from Phoenix but as I keep shuttling between Pakistan and UAE playing in Pakistan’s domestic cricket during their season and in UAE during off season, I did not try for a license. Now with this car, the biggest individual award in UAE cricket history, I will enroll for license. I am proud of having won such a prestigious award.”
Khan was only 19 years old when Adil Mirza, the owner and captain of Phoenix Medicines spotted him and invited him to play in UAE. “I have been playing in UAE for the last four years and enjoyed every season here. More than winning this huge award is the enjoyment I have derived out of playing in this tournament. Though we lost in the final the pleasure that each match gave me was really great,” added Khan who scored 283 runs from six matches and bagged four wickets in the tournament.
Khan has been knocking on the doors of Pakistan national team with consistent performance in Pakistan’s domestic cricket. “I have already represented Pakistan A team and played under the captaincy of Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq and Sohail Tanvir. I am also part of the Pakistan team that won the Hong Kong Sixes tournament last year,” said Khan who plays for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) in Pakistan and even hit a double century for them in the Quad-e-Azam Trophy first division tournament in 2011.
“I got interested in cricket due to my father Sohail Mahmood, a former first class cricketer. He taught me the basics from a very young age and send me to Karachi to improve my game as Hyderabad has limited facilities. I play three days a week in Karachi and I have progressed due to my parents’ effort and support. I am working hard to realise my dream of playing for Pakistan in international cricket,” said Khan, who is a stylish left-handed opener and right-arm leg spinner.
Khan has scored over 3000 runs in first class cricket with nine centuries and 11 half centuries “I will play for Phoenix and give my best in UAE’s tournament. This award is a big boost,” he said before his teammates, perched all over the car, drove him around the ground.
