Schoolgirl goes from tears of hurt to creating one of UAE cricket's greatest ever moments

If ever anyone needed proof that cricket is a great leveller, then consider the case of Vaishnave Mahesh.

On Monday night, the spin-bowler had been sobbing inconsolably to her parents after UAE’s dream of playing at the T20 World Cup had been extinguished.

The 15-year-old’s leg-spin had met with an onslaught from Papua New Guinea’s batters, in a loss that pushed a chance of reaching the semi-finals of the Qualifier in Abu Dhabi beyond the home team’s reach.

A day later, she had been working out on the treadmill in the gym of the team hotel on Yas Island, when the runner next to her dispensed some wisdom.

Given that the words of encouragement were being offered by Mignon du Preez, who has played more than 260 times for South Africa, it meant a lot.

“I was crying after that game, in tears, but I had a lot of people who came up to me,” Vaishnave said.

“Theertha [Satish], my captain [Chaya Mughal], and even Mignon du Preez came up to me and said, ‘One bad game doesn’t define a bowler.’

“That really picked me up. Even after that, we went to the gym and she was talking to me. All three of my coaches, Murali [Sockalingham, at her academy in Dubai], GS Mukund in India, and my dad, they all gave me good encouragement.

“They just said, ‘One game doesn’t matter, you always have the next game.’ That is how I picked up confidence.”

UAE bowler Vaishnave Mahesh in action. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Her response was immaculate. Two nights after the heartbreak against PNG, UAE were back in action.

Their task was a daunting one, against a Test-playing nation – Zimbabwe – who had beaten the national team in a T20I a week earlier in Dubai.

Despite the odds, UAE were fearless. Vaishnave was the standout as they restricted their