‘Forget the pain, just run’: Rameez Shahzad and Rohan Mustafa seal epic win for UAE

Before this week, it had been four-and-a-half years since Rameez Shahzad last played one-day international cricket.

In the intervening time he had lost his professional contract, taken work in a car showroom, gained weight, and seen his dream of returning to play with his mates for his country gradually diminish.

All of which made his remarkable, match-clinching half-century for UAE against Canada at the Wanderers in Windhoek all the more stunning.

The six-wicket win in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off could be a seminal moment for cricket in the UAE. It means they are now within touching distance of retaining one-day international status, and it has breathed life into their aspirations of making it to the global Qualifier in Zimbabwe in June.

Singling out Rameez, who ended on 53 not out after hitting the winning runs, for all the praise would be harsh on a team full of heroes.

Sanchit Sharma and Junaid Siddique were thrifty with the new ball. Zahoor Khan took two wickets on his 50th ODI appearance for the UAE, and Aayan Khan, the young whizz-kid of UAE cricket, took three.

In pursuit of 255 to win, Muhammad Waseem (80) and Aryan Lakra (53) laid the platform with a 134-run alliance for the first wicket.

But the acclaim with which Rameez was welcomed back to the UAE dressing room told its own story.

“To be honest, I wasn’t sure [if I would play again],” Rameez said.

“I had been training, and I would like to thank the management for giving me another chance. I have been working hard for the past three or four months.

“The fitness isn’t there yet. I am still working at it. This was a really good innings to play once you are back in the side.

“I would like to thank my father [former UAE bowler Shahzad Altaf], who has