Abu Dhabi: The local premier cricket final was in progress at the floodlit Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium — but it had very few takers.
The target on board was 193 in 50 overs — too ordinary considering the era of the Virat Kohlis, AB de Villiers and the Chris Gayles who can make a mockery of 200-plus targets in just 20 overs with their mind-boggling battling blitz.
Hence, there is anything but excitement about this fixture. However, one man in the middle is battling along as if he is on a mission — a lone one though.
It’s Pakistan’s Test discard Hassan Raza, the one who shot into limelight as the youngest to make a Test debut in 1996 (14 years and 227 days) before being downsized by his own countrymen over the legitimacy of his age.
Raza’s cricketing career that got underway at a meteoric pace was in and out of one’s memory like a shooting star.
Known to be one of sweet timers of the ball, Raza was left in the cold despite his exploits on the domestic circuit. In 2002-03, he made a brief comeback at Sharjah against Australia, scoring an unbeaten 54 and 68, but both innings were scratchy and was unacceptably slow. He last figured in a Test against England in 2005 before again slipping into the wilderness. Later, he only toured with the Pakistan A team and despite leading them to victory in the EurAsia Cup in Abu Dhabi in 2006, never donned the greens again.
His only option was to make a reputation as a travelling cricketer and play in all the low-profile tournaments around the globe that helped him to meet ends. And more importantly, he has made UAE his home for a while now.
At 34, Raza has clearly reached the twilight of his career but he can still be more than handy at this level. Hence, there is tremendous calm in his team Alubond Tiger’s dug out, despite being reduced to 85 for 5.
Understandably, there is no much feet movement but it is more of a stand and deliver for Raza. However, he can still score those crisp boundaries with relentless ease through the covers and his unbeaten 76 hands his team another title.
For Raza, now the sole aim is to represent UAE and he is just 11 months away from accomplishing that dream.
“I’m getting better, you can say with experience. I have been playing in Chicago and Ireland. I want to play for UAE and these performances would help. I have scored a couple of centuries this season,” says Raza, adding that, he can contribute to the UAE national team big time.
“I’m 34 but I have tried to stay fit. I have left domestic cricket and made my switch here and want to play against big teams. It will be my second stint representing my second nation and I really want to contribute,” said Raza, adding that he doesn’t want his 20 years of domestic cricket experience in Pakistan to go in vain and that has made him even more determined.
“I’m staying here in UAE leaving my family back home and it is difficult. However, I’m happy to do that for cricket. I’m in good shape and just want these 11 months to get over quickly. I would say this wait will be the toughest for me,” said Raza, who figured in seven Tests and 16 ODIs for Pakistan.
UAE’s T20 skipper Amjad Javed can’t wait for Raza to be included in the national setup. “Raza can just walk into the UAE team anytime as he is a solid batsman and can bring a lot of stability to our battling line. All the youngsters will get a boost and they can learn a lot from him. In four-day Test matches also we can do well despite not having a proper first class structure for that as of now,” revealed Javed.
For UAE, who over the years are forced to rely on the expatriate talent pool for reinforcements, undoubtedly Raza’s inclusion would be a huge boost. However, how much of an impact he can make on the big stage, only time will prove. As of now, Raza’s local tournament exploits have left him on a good wicket.
