From Mewat to Kolkata: Back story of a civil engineer-turned cricketer Shahbaz becoming a 'Royal Challenger'

Partha Pratim Chowdhury has witnessed hundreds of cricketers with dreamy eyes flocking the Maidans but never a young man with engineering books accompanying his cricket kits until Shahbaz Ahmed checked in. It was a bit of a novelty even for the middle-aged Chowdhury, associated with Kolkata's first division club Tapan Memorial. Then 21 and pursuing a civil engineering degree from a private university, the player from Mewat is now a battle-hardened domestic bulwark showing his wares at the big stage.

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Veteran Dinesh Karthik was in beast mode on Tuesday as his unbeaten 23-ball 44 powered Royal Challengers Bangalore to their second win of the season. Coming in at a precarious 87 for 5 situation in a 170 run chase, Karthik walked in and rocked the opposition Rajasthan Royals, stealing a win for his

Shahbaz, one of the pillars of the Bengal Ranji Trophy side, is also an integral part of Royal Challengers Bangalore and has shown his prowess as a batter with two game-changing knocks, against KKR and Rajasthan Royals, in the ongoing IPL season.

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Stuttering at 87/5 in 13 overs, veteran Dinesh Karthik not only soaked up the pressure en route his 23-ball 44*, but also emboldened youngster Shahbaz Ahmed (45 off 26 balls) who joined his senior in routing Sanju Samson's high-flying Rajasthan Royals.

"Yes, this is my third season and there has been a lot of time playing at this position, so now is the time to deliver," Shahbaz said at the post-match press conference on Tuesday night. "Today the situation was tougher because at