It was just after 03:00 on Thursday morning when UAE wicketkeeper Saqlain Haider received the tragic news that Australia batsman Phil Hughes had passed away.
While the news shocked many around the world, it was more emotional for the 25-year-old wicketkeeper.
Just six weeks ago in October, Haider was behind the stumps on the third day of the Australians tour match against Pakistan ‘A’ in Sharjah with first-choice Brad Haddin rested.
While he got to play with Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson, the team also featured Hughes, who scored 14.
And Haider, who plays for UBL in the domestic circuit, is still in shock and has fond memories of the left-handed batsman.
“He was a great person to be around. He gave me great support and appreciated my wicketkeeping,” said Haider.
“He was a very kind person and he told me ‘I want to see you playing at next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand’.
"I was really touched by those words because he was a very nice man and he advised me to work really hard on my game and that succeeding in cricket isn’t easy.
“I asked him questions on how I could improve my batting and he gave me some tips which I’m now applying in training and at matches.
“He was a great man on and off the pitch, always joking around and always with a smile.
"He’s not here anymore and that is very sad.”
Haider owns many cricket jerseys but the one he will always keep is the one signed by Hughes after the match.
“Phil asked me if I wanted a signed Australia shirt, and I immediately said ‘yes’. And he did that. I was thrilled to receive the shirt because it was the first autographed shirt I received.
“When I heard the news, I took the shirt out of my drawer and stared at it, thinking of him.
"I just couldn’t believe that he was with me a few weeks ago and now he’s no more. I will keep his shirt with me forever because it’s a very big thing for me.”
