Mustafa has been named outstanding player of the tournament in the Abu Dhabi ‘A’ division 50-over, Dubai ‘A’ division 50 over, Al Dhaid T20, Punjab Premier League and Abu Dhabi T20.
Dubai: In-form UAE all-rounder Rohan Mustafa, who has bagged five Player of the tournament awards this season, wanted to make the achievement special by donating a portion of his prize money from the awards to the charity in his late father’s name.
Speaking to Gulf News after bagging his fifth Player of the Tournament award in the Abu Dhabi Ramadan tournament, Mustafa said: “My father Mustafa Kamal guided me to cricket with a dream of wanting to see me play international cricket. He used to always tell me to work hard and that one day I will represent Pakistan. He passed away in July 2005 but I fulfilled his dream of playing international cricket by getting selected to the UAE team and even played in the World Cup.
“Though I am sad he did not live long to see me play top level cricket, the least I felt I should do is to contribute to the charity that I created for needy people. I get bonus money from these awards and I have started putting 50 per cent of it to my father’s charity. One day, I hope to open a foundation in his name.”
Twenty-seven-year-old Mustafa, who was born in Kohat in Pakistan, has hit four centuries this season. “I could have got seven centuries but I got out in the 90’s thrice. Most of my high scores came in the quarter-final, semi-final and final which ensured my team victories,” said Mustafa, who has won a full time contract to play for UAE.
“I played for Alubond Tigers in the ‘A’ division tournaments and in the ‘B’ division, I represented Advantage Motors,” added Mustafa, who has to his collection Abu Dhabi ‘A’ division 50-over and Dubai ‘A’ division 50 over, Al Dhaid T20, Punjab Premier League and Abu Dhabi T20 trophies for outstanding player of tournament award.
He won the batsman award in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) and also from many ‘B’ division tournaments.
When asked what changes he made to his game to be in such top form, Mustafa said: “I had promised myself before the start of this season that I will do my best in all tournaments. The former UAE team coach Aqib Javed had made me work very hard and I improved a lot.”
Mustafa considers UAE’s former captain Khurram Khan as his idol. “I want to perform like Khurram Khan and do exactly the way he contributed to UAE’s success. He taught me how to handle match pressure. Now I follow a very simple theory whenever I enter a cricket field; whether my opponents are tough or weak I just believe in myself and tell myself that I can produce my best and it has happened,” said Mustafa, a left-handed batsman and bowls off break and pace with his right arm.
He had also won Dubai Cricket Council’s outstanding Player of the Year award in the Shyam Bhatia annual awards for cricketing excellence in the UAE this year.
