UAE hero Aayan Afzal Khan: ‘My dad said never give up – this is for him’

Nursing cramp and heat exhaustion, but also the warm glow of satisfaction, Aayan Afzal Khan sent a message of thanks halfway across the world to his parents, after scripting one of the greatest wins in the history of UAE cricket.

The Sharjah schoolboy, who only turned 16 in November, played the seminal role in the national age-group side’s extraordinary 82-run win over West Indies in the Under 19 World Cup on Friday.

Victory put the UAE into Monday’s plate final, where they will play the winner of Saturday’s second semi-final between Ireland and Zimbabwe.

All had seemed lost when the hosts reduced them to 24 for four in Trinidad, only for Aayan to alter the face of the game.

The Goa-born allrounder, who has lived in UAE since he was two years old, made 93 before he was the last player out. That underpinned UAE’s total of 224 for nine.

West Indies scarcely threatened in reply, and Aayan even returned to the field to take the final wicket – having earlier been stretchered off while suffering from cramp.

The teen put his success down to the sacrifices made by his father, Afzal, and mother, Shahista, to help him pursue cricket.

“My parents have come through a lot of struggles and brought me at here at this stage, and I would like to thank them a lot,” Aayan said.

“I have been working hard to achieve this for the past six months. It’s every child’s dream to play for your country, and score a crucial knock for your team in a crucial game.

“My dad has been training me from when I was five years old, and it’s his dream that I represent my country and play well whenever I get chance.

“He has trained me in batting a lot and he focuses on my cricket a lot. He is strict at times which helps me always to perform good.

“He has said me