Khurram Khan dreams of return to UAE national cricket set-up

Given how sparkling the achievements were during the playing career of arguably the greatest UAE cricketer, it feels odd to consider Khurram Khan a late bloomer.

But the facts are clear. He only started out in leather-ball cricket aged 18, during his first year of university in his hometown of Multan.

He made his official one-day international debut for his adopted UAE aged 33, when he took the wicket of Yuvraj Singh in a match in Sri Lanka.

He oversaw qualification for two World Cups as UAE captain while in his 40s. And he still holds the record for being the oldest player to score a maiden century in ODI cricket, having done so against Afghanistan aged 43.

All of which makes it perfectly logical to assume he can make a success of his latest crack at the game now he is closing in on his 51st birthday.

Khurram finished 23 years of employment with Emirates airline at the start of this year. Now he is looking for new full-time employment, ideally in the sport he loves.

“If not, anything that means staying in Dubai that would be great because my children [three sons] are settled in school, and have A-levels and O-levels coming up in June,” Khurram said.

“I want to remain in the UAE until their exams, but then, let’s see where life takes me.

“It might not be here, and that would be sad. I have spent 26 years in UAE, but I may have to choose now because of the kids’ education.

“Preferably it will be here. I have spent the best years of my life here.”

What a sight it was to watch sons of our 2 legends former Captains Khurram Khan @1_PAK & Mohammed Tauqir playing for UAE Under 16s