Khurram wins top award from ICC

Dubai: Khurram Khan, who led the UAE from the front through sterling match-winning performances to help the team qualify for two ICC World Cups (Twenty20 and 50 overs), has been named the International Cricket Council’s Associate and Affiliate cricketer of the year.

Khuram joins stars such as Australia’s Steve Smith, who bagged the cricketer of the year and Test cricketer of the year awards, and South Africa’s AB de Villiers, who won the One Day International Cricketer of the year, in the prize roster.

Speaking to Gulf News, Khurram, who became the first UAE cricketer to win the award, said: “It’s a great achievement for me personally and for the UAE team. I want to thank everyone who believed in me that I can see UAE through to the World Cup.”

Khurram was the leading run-getter among the associate and affiliate countries, scoring 425 runs from nine one-Day matches.

The award is meant to recognise and reward the efforts of outstanding cricketers from the teams outside the 10 Test nations in international matches. Khurram excelled as a captain too and even took wickets with his accurate left-arm spin.

The Pakistan national believes it is the support of his players and support staff that has guided him to the award.

“I am thankful to everyone from players, selectors, physio, team management, and support staff.

“My award now brings a huge responsibility for the new team to keep performing. With hard work and dedication everything is possible,” remarked Khurram, who works as flight purser for Emirates Airline, but makes sure he finds time to work on his fitness and remain in top form despite his globe-trotting job.

Khurram at 43 was among the oldest cricketers that played in the 2015 ICC World Cup but was among the fittest players too.

Incidentally, at the age of 43 and 162 days, he became the oldest player to score a One Day International century when he made 132 not out against Afghanistan in December, 2014, beating Sanath Jayasuriya’s record.

“For me age is just a number. It is the determination and dedication that matters. I thank my father who guided me and taught me the game when I was young. He was my mentor and I am thankful to him for guiding me in this sport. This award is for all the players in the UAE I played with and for the Emirates Cricket Board who gave me the opportunity to fulfill my childhood dream of playing in an ICC Cricket World Cup.”

UAE national team coach and Pakistan Test star Aqib Javed, who worked closely with Khurram during qualification for the World Cup, said: “There is no doubt that Khurram is the most valuable Associate and Affiliate player. He deserves this top award. Khurram was a true leader to the core and the way he led UAE to qualify for two world cups was phenomenal. Every UAE player looked up to him for inspiration. He is a perfect role model for Associate member countries.”

Khurram may have announced his retirement from international cricket in June this year, but he does not want to rest on the laurels of this award. “I want to mentor the UAE team as I believe that we have a lot of potential. We have lost a few matches recently but we will become a top team again,” said Khurram, who will be seen in action next month in the Masters Champions League for Team Sagittarius, playing alongside Australian star Adam Gilchrist and former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond.

Khurram Khan fact file

* 425 runs scored in nine ODI matches from September 2014 to September 2015

* At the age of 43 years and 162 days became the oldest player to score a ODI through 132 not out against Afghanistan in December 2014

* Scored 581 runs at an average of 72.62 to be the leading run scorer in World Cup Qualifiers in 2014

* Played in 16 ODI matches, scored 582 runs at an average of 41.57 with one century and three fifties.

* Played 24 first class matches scored 1730 runs with four centuries and ten half centuries for an average of 43.25.

* Bagged 12 wickets in ODI and 34 first class wickets with his left-arm spin.

ICC awards