Abu Dhabi: On a cold overcast Friday morning, UAE prodigy Mohammad Riyan was keen on spending some more time in bed. He didn’t pay heed to his father’s command to be on time for his academy match. An argument ensued and the latter decided not to drive his ward to the ground and informed his coach about the same.

Riyan may be like many of us when it comes to enjoying a good rest but, once he is on the cricket field, he can display great statesmanship and his willow does all the talking, as Boomleh, his opponents on the day learnt.

Upon making it to the venue just in the nick of time, Riyan was handed the captaincy of the Abu Dhabi Academy team in the absence of their regular skipper Sachin Jha, against a side that had players over twice his age.

Upon noticing that the opposition comprised a bunch of youngsters, the Boomleh players were thrilled about the prospect of piling on the runs. Suddenly all the bench warmers were eager to pad up and no heed was given to the actual batting line-up.

With Riyan marshalling his resources astutely, Boomleh went on to score 158 in 20 overs, losing seven wickets in the bargain. However, little did they know that the total was just not enough as Riyan had other plans.

In the first four overs, Zayed Cricket Academy scored just 18 runs but thereafter Riyan, who went in as an opener, simply cut lose and the Boomleh bowlers were carted around the ground as he brought up an unbeaten ton (111). He single-handedly saw his team home in 19 overs at the cost of just two wickets.

Riyan, in the process also become the youngest at 17 years and seven months to score a century in UAE club cricket’s T20 format, eclipsing the record set by Shivank Vijaykumar, who is a few months older than the former.

“It was an opportunity and I wanted to take responsibility and wanted to stay there till the end. I always get aggressive in the way to win. I have scored big and the team has won but that was always batting first. So this one was special,” says the Cambridge standard 12th student, who idolises Indian star batsman Virat Kohli.

Like Kohli, Riyan too has a rebellious streak in him and that, at times, has led to disciplinary issues and even saw him lose his place after being picked by UK-based Headingley when he was in ninth grade.

“Yes, I threw that opportunity away and I regret doing that. One mistake and I paid a heavy prize. However, that’s a thing of the past and I know how to control my aggression. At times I have lost my cool on my teammates as well but you can say it was all a part of growing up,” says Riyan, who is now aiming to join Loughborough University in UK.

“I went to the Gary Kirsten training in Dubai and he told my dad that he could recommend for me at Loughborough if we are interested. I have to go for trials. It’s an opportunity and I want to make it count,” asserts Riyan, who is also eyeing the UAE U-19 squad.

Brief Scores: Etihad Airways beat Desire by 68 runs. Etihad Airways 212 all out in 18.3 overs (Kabeer Khan 108) Desire 144 all out in 20 overs (Zulqarnain Haider 45, Kabeer Khan 5-10).

Zayed Cricket Academy beat Boomleh by 8 wkts. Boomleh 158 for 7 in 20 overs Zayed Cricket Academy 159 for 3 in 19 overs (Mohammad Riyan 111 not out).

Energizer beat Ferco by 46 runs. Energizer 158 for 8 in 20 overs (Rajeeb Naug 64, Azhar Hussain 4-21) Ferco 112 all out in 17.5 overs (Mushtaq Ahmad 44).

Takreer beat New Stars by win by 96 runs. Takreer 191 for 4 in 20 overs (Afsal Rahman 75, Imran Ahmad 53 not out) New Stars 95 all out in 14.3 overs.

Thrifty Car Rental beat Super Kings by 27 runs. Thrifty Car Rental 173 all out in 19.5 overs (Mohammad Siraj 45) Super Kings 146 for 9 in 20 overs (Malik Abdul Jabbar 3-19)