New UAE batter Khalid Shah: ‘I have waited my entire life for this moment’

Earlier this month, after reaching a typically rapid half-century, Khalid Shah marked the milestone by making the signal of a talking hand next to the face of his bat.

It has become a well-used gesture by players in recent times and the meaning is obvious: I’ll let my bat do the talking.

Shah, who was raised in Sharjah and now works at the cricket stadium, has been waiting patiently for higher honours in cricket.

In the ILT20 development tournament at the ICC Academy, he hit 70 in 47 balls, then 50 in 31 balls in successive games. His bat wasn’t so much talking as shouting loudly.

It was not enough to earn him an ILT20 deal, but he has since been rewarded with his first call-up to the national team.

The 27-year-old left-hander debuted in the UAE’s tri-series success against Nepal and Hong Kong in Kathmandu last week.

He has been retained in the 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier, where the national team will be chasing a place at the main event in the Caribbean next year.

“It feels like I am living my dream,” Shah said. “There have been lots of competitions and so there was always a chance for me. One or two good performances can get you noticed. I feel that is exactly what happened.

“I have had a couple of good seasons, and some good performances in the D-series and the ILT20 development tournament opened the door for me, and a lot of local cricketers.”

Those back-to-back half-centuries in the ILT20 tournament were littered with massive sixes. Two went out of the Academy entirely and nearly ended up on Hessa Street.

Although it was not enough to catch the eye of the franchise scouts, he is thrilled it has helped him on his way to the national setup.

“Those performances boosted my confidence,” he said.