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Shaiman still living the dream

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The batsman was one of the bright spots to emerge for the cause of the associates

Published: Fri 20 Mar 2015, 9:19 AM

Updated: Wed 15 Nov 2023, 2:36 PM

  • By
  • James Jose (senior Reporter)

Shaiman Anwar on his arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport after world Cup campaign. — KT photo by Nezar Balout

Abu Dhabi — That infectious smile was still there even after a tiring long-haul 14-hour flight from Melbourne. Asked if he would be reporting to work, he chuckled and said in Urdu: “Nahin (No).”

After a day’s rest,” he added. For now, though, Shaiman Anwar, worker by day, cricketer by night, is still living the dream. Normalcy will be restored soon enough when he is back to the routine. For now, though, Shaiman is in that happy bubble, a fairytale even he wouldn’t have conjured in his wildest of dreams.

Having returned from the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the UAE will now know who Shaiman Anwar is. The rest of the cricketing world got to know over the past month. The UAE will now know not just because he represented the country, but because he lit up the World Cup in some ways, with his talent. He was one of the bright spots to emerge not just for the UAE, but also for the cause of the associates.

The 36-year-old was the top run scorer with 270 halfway through the group stages, even putting some of the big names from the big teams, in the shade. He relinquished that spot eventually after UAE exited the group, but Shaiman ended the tournament as the top run scorer with 311 among the Associates and third after Zimbabwe’s Brendon Taylor and Sean Williams, among the teams who were eliminated.

“Ours is a perfect example of why one should follow your dreams. I feel that anything is possible. If we can achieve our goals then I’m sure everyone can. This was a huge platform for many of us and we all tried our best. Hopefull,y the boys can take a leaf out of this and move forward,” said a weary but still smiling Shaiman. “I have played cricket here for eight years. I previously played first class cricket back in Pakistan and once I came here, I played club cricket. Then, I got the chance to make it to the UAE team and now the World Cup. I still can’t believe everything that has happened. I think that time just flew by,” he said.

Having warmed up with a 67 against Zimbabwe, Shaiman went on to cosh a hundred against Ireland, the second by a UAE player after Khurram Khan and the first UAE player to do so in a World Cup.

Back in Pakistan in his humble home in Sialkot, it was delirious scenes. “Everyone was happy and wishes came pouring in from everywhere. Once I performed, I felt really nice to score that 100,” said Shaiman.

“The media were camped outside my house in Pakistan. I scored 67 against Zimbabwe and then the century against Ireland. And then, that 35 against India and 62 against Pakistan, Sialkot just came alive,” revealed Shaiman.

In such form, comparisons were made by the media between him and the failing Pakistan openers and what may have been. “They were comparing me with the Pakistan openers and it went on and on. They were saying how a Pakistan-born player is performing for the UAE and how Pakistan openers were struggling,” he said.

Shaiman said that good preparations prior to embarking for the World Cup helped a lot. “Actually, going there well before the World Cup, really helped. Having got used to pitches early, that helped us a lot. We practiced a lot here also to cope with the conditions,” he said.

On a dream run now, Shaiman wants to continue for a couple of more years before hanging up his bat. “I would like to continue for one or two years. The day I feel that I cannot carry on or my body doesn’t allow, I shall quit,” said Shaiman, who turned 36 on Sunday.

james@khaleejtimes.com



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