Ramadan title win brings back early memories for Ahmed Raza

Denzil Pinto 19:27 24/06/2017
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  • When Ahmed Raza hoisted the Ramadan Rathath MF Cup last week, it wasn’t just another ordinary title triumph but a tournament that brought back some early memories in his younger days.

    Sharjah Cricket Club became the latest team to etch their name on the trophy in a competition that’s been on Sharjah Cricket Council’s calendar for more than two decades.

    For 29 years, the Sharjah Ramadan event has gone from strength to strength, drawing in a big number of some of the UAE’s top domestic clubs.

    And for Raza, 28, the tournament win has much significance and it wasn’t because the Sharjah Cricket Club skipper could add another winner’s medal to his collection.

    “This tournament is very big for me for many reasons,” said the UAE spinner.

    “When I was around 10 years old, my father – Syed Zahid Kazmi took me to the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and it was at that age where I picked up the game. Back then in the mid 1990s, the T20 competition used to be 35-over matches and although he played cricket at university, he was a keen follower of domestic cricket and would know all the players by their names.

    “Every year I would go to the stadium during Ramadan to watch the matches and almost every day after breaking the fast. It used to be a like a family outing so when my father wanted to go, we all went as a family and it was a real pleasure to watch the cricket matches.”

    Now instead of watching the action from the stands, Raza has kept his association going, having played in the last 14 editions.

    The closest he came to winning was 12 months ago when he was part of the Dubai Hawks side to reach the last four.

    That all changed last week in the six-wicket win over Alubond Tigers on the eve of Father’s Day.

    “After winning the match it was a great feeling and I told my father it’s a Father’s Day gift and a title victory which I have dedicated to him,” he said.

    “He’s been a big influence in my life. Of course I have to give credit to the coaches I’ve worked with but I can’t thank him enough. It was him why I fell in love with the game and he and everyone in the family have shown their continous support to this day.”

    He added: “Having gone to the stadium back then as a boy and then being at the centre of attention by winning the Ramadan tournament, it’s a good feeling and this emirate will always have a special place in my heart as this was where I started playing cricket.

    “Out of all the domestic tournaments I’ve won, this is the one that I’ll cherish. I’ve grown up with Mazhar Khan, (ECB administor and honourary secretary of Sharjah Cricket Council) and Waleed Bukhatir, team owner, being like a mentor to me and when you think of the past and to now be standing alongside them as a winner it’s a great feeling.”

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