SHOAIB SHAIKH
shoaib@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Goan teenager Aayan Afzal Khan, hailing from Borda, Margao, has become the youngest T20 World Cup player at the age of 16 years and 335 days.
Representing United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup in Australia, Aayan was selected in the UAE XI to play The Netherlands in the group matches. The all-rounder is a right-hand batsman and a left-arm spinner.
Speaking to Herald from Australia, Aayan credited his parents for his success and the feat he has achieved. “While I’m overwhelmed to have been selected at this young age and it’s a dream come true to play alongside the bigwigs of cricket, it’s daddy’s perseverance and mumma’s patience and groundedness that deserves the credit for my success,” he said.
He also thanked the head coach of UAE and former India star Robin Singh for his guidance and faith in him.
Aayan is the eldest of the two children to Afzal Pathan and Shahista who belong to a middle class family from Borda. He has been in the UAE, where his father is employed in a private firm, from the time he was a toddler. He is currently studying in the 12th Grade in Commerce through distance learning to focus completely on his cricketing career.
As a schoolboy, he played A-division cricket at the age of 14 even as he studied at Our Own English School in Sharjah.
In January, Aayan was in the spotlight after hitting a magnificent 93 for the UAE against hosts West Indies in the U-19 World Cup. The UAE won the match in which Aayan was adjudged player of the match. The UAE eventually won the plate final.
The young cricketer’s father Afzal is known among his friends and family for his passion for cricket. A cricketer himself, Afzal played for Goa in his younger years while he was in the State. Nevertheless, his love for cricket had no bounds and even in the UAE he is a constant on the field every weekend and has literally played at all possible available cricket grounds across the desert nation.
Speaking to Herald, Afzal said, “As a family we are delighted that our son has achieved a feat but this is just the first step and we hope he is able to perform to his potential and deliver on the expectations of the team.”
Commending the efforts of his son, Afzal said, “Aayan is a dedicated sportsman. Despite spending hours in school and then having to do homework, he would never complain of being tired to go for practice. He travels almost 30 kms and then practices every single day. It’s his hard work and dedication that has earned him reward.”
An overwhelmed mother had tears when she saw Aayan enter the field on Sunday against the Netherlands. “It’s a result of a lot of sacrifices,” she said.
Aayan’s younger sister Afsha is a Class VII student in Sharjah.
Parvez Shaikh, president of an informal association of Goan Muslims in the UAE, applauded the teenager’s feat. A cricket enthusiast himself, Parvez said, “I have known him since his childhood. I played cricket with his father in the UAE, and since then we have been friends. As and when we Goans organise tournaments, this little boy Aayan used to come and always play with us during practice. We all used to say this guy has talent and will shine one day. He has proved our assumptions correct. Full credit goes to his father Afzal Pathan who was very keen in getting him into cricket. Dedication, hard work and sheer talent has made him what he is today.”
Back home in India, Rizwan Khan, relative and currently the president of Noorani Sports and Cultural Club, Vasco, said, “You seldom see a father and son have the same level of craze for anything. Afzal and Aayan are just crazy about the sport. Even during their short breaks to Goa you will find them on the field. It’s a well-deserved feat for the father as well.”
After his return from Australia, Aayan will next be seen in the sixth edition of Abu Dhabi T10 league where he will represent Delhi Bulls captained by Dwayne Bravo.