UAE policeman catches cricket bug

Sharjah: He is the Shane Bond of the UAE cricket team. Like the New Zealand fast bowler, he is also a policeman. Fahad Hashemi, the UAE National, who opens the bowling for the UAE team, works for the Dubai Police.

Hashemi bowled brilliantly in the recent ICC Intercontinental Cup matches against Namibia and Kenya at the Sharjah Stadium.

"Like all nationals my first love was football. I studied in Our Own High School and was the football team goalkeeper. My Indian and Pakistani friends forced me to play cricket. I started off as a wicketkeeper," said Hashemi.

"My uncle Zahid Tahir and my father encouraged me and I played inter-school cricket. I also joined the Emirates Cricket Board nets as they welcomed all UAE nationals."

How did he become a fast bowler? "Coach Shehzad Altaf was in charge of the ECB nets. He was impressed by my height and built and told me to try fast bowling," he revealed.

"The Dubai Police encourages me by giving permission to play. My colleagues are shocked that I play cricket. I enjoy playing this game and hope more nationals start playing it."