Going the Sehwag way

DUBAI: A double century off just 87 balls is sure to raise eyebrows. And if it comes from the bat of a 10-year-old then it's sensational.

Zohaib Zafar was just another budding cricketer till he smashed a sparkling unbeaten 209 at lightning pace during the Gulf Nissan Cup currently under way in Dubai.

The DPS Sharjah student's stellar knock comfortably sealed the match for his team in the under-11 match and also put the youngster in the limelight. "It's just an amazing feeling," said Zafar, whose previous best was 80 in a tournament last year.

His innings included 14 sixes and 20 boundaries as his team completed a comprehensive 72-run win over DPS Dubai.

"I was determined to do well. We were batting first and I had no pressure. I just played my natural game and enjoyed smashing those loose deliveries. I had never scored a century and getting the first one this way was an amazing thing," said Zafar, who hails from Bihar, India.

It does not come as a surprise that he draws inspiration from India's swashbuckling batsman Virender Sehwag who recently broke Sachin Tendulkar's highest ODI record, smashing 219 against the West Indies last year.

"He is a great batsman. He is very talented and I watch his innings closely. I draw a lot of inspiration from him," said Zafar, who began playing cricket when he was just four.

He credits most of his success to his coaches Vikram Dutt and Prayas Chauhan. "They asked me to take up cricket when they watched me play during a school game. I then joined the nets sessions and began taking my game seriously.

"I really worked hard at the nets and I'm happy it's helping me improve as a cricketer," added the 10-year-old, who plans to move to India to pursue his dream.

Zafar, whose father Mustafa Kamal works as a civil engineer, said his family is very supportive. "My parents are very supportive. Actually, many in my family, including my grandfather, have all loved playing football. But I always loved cricket. I used to watch a lot of matches from when I was young."

Dutt expressed delight over the boy's success and said: "He is a very talented boy. He is not a technically correct batsman but believes in playing aggressive cricket. The best part about him is his zeal to learn. He takes every suggestion given to him seriously and works on it. This innings was long due and I'm happy he achieved it in style."