With the chase slipping away and the scoreboard pressure mounting, UAE batter Sohaib Khan found inspiration in the unflappable philosophy of World Cup-winning India captain, MS Dhoni.
Making his debut on such a big stage, the Gaya-born batter walked in at No. 6 with UAE needing 85 runs off 45 balls. Canada’s spin attack was tightening its grip, and the momentum was against UAE. The game seemed to be slipping away.
MSD’s Mantra
However, Sohaib, who scored an impressive 51 off 29 balls, remained calm, a trait synonymous with Dhoni, India’s “Captain Cool”. Alongside Aryansh Sharma, he built a match-winning 83-run partnership, securing a five-wicket victory.
“The strategy was quite simple. We were requiring around 12 runs per over. As MS Dhoni says, when you are
on the pitch and you are under pressure, just back yourself and stay calm. I was thinking the same,” Sohaib said after the match.
“After going in, Aryansh was so confident that his positivity was coming to me, that no, we can do it. From every ball he was like, no, we will do it. We’ll do it.
Jamia And Home
For the 27-year-old, the innings had deep personal significance. The match took place in Delhi, where his professional cricket journey began during his time at Jamia Millia Islamia University.
“Coincidentally I started my journey from Jamia Mila Islamia University, New Delhi, and all I can say – this was my home where I started professional cricket.
“I played around three to four years from 2014 to 19 and played two consecutive years for North Zone University from Jamia – 2017 and 2018..
Cricket In UAE
Sohaib’s path to international cricket was far from straightforward. As a sociology student, opportunities were limited, prompting him to move to the United Arab Emirates during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking stability and a second chance in cricket.
“I moved to UAE during the COVID pandemic. I was not getting many opportunities here. I was married in 2021. My daughter and my wife were there. My parents were there. I thought this is the game – what I can do my best.
“I have struggled a lot from the past 4-5 years, now if I get this phase then it’s okay – what else I can ask from the God..
By day, he works as a financial consultant, and by night, he plays cricket.
“I work as a financial consultant, a salesperson, I worked during the day. And the infrastructure there is such that we play cricket at night and work during the day. So that’s what I did. For the last four to five months, I’ve been playing proper cricket there..
Despite his late start in professional cricket, Sohaib’s confidence in pressure situations remained undiminished, thanks to years of playing tennis-ball cricket and domestic competitions.
“I started professional cricket very late in 2014. But before that, this situation kept coming up in tennis cricket, when we played red tennis. Even I was playing in North Zone from Jamia.
“So, it was a similar situation. And in UAE, in domestic cricket, I was familiar with the situation. So, I believed that if we can do it before, we can do it again. Out of 10, you can do it 3-4 times when you believe in yourself,” he added.
(With inputs from Agencies)
