Forgotten heroes of Cricket: Mohammed Rizlan
Flashback 2022
Qatar vice-captain Rizlan delighted with rich resources in national team
Qatar’s vice-captain Mohammed Rizlan is extremely pleased with the rich resources that are available in the current 14-member national cricket team.
Qatar are holding the Asian Sub-regional Group A Qualifiers for the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup at the Asian Town Stadium from October 23 and Rizlan is expecting the hosts to fire on all cylinders right from the opening clash against Bahrain. The neighbors are the rivals in the first match for Qatar, who will also take on Saudi Arabia and the Maldives before finishing the event against Kuwait on
October 29. Only the winner will advance to the next qualifying stage.
Rizlan, the batsman cum wicketkeeper, played his foundational cricket in his home country Sri Lanka. Rising from various age group teams, he went on to represent the Sri Lanka Under-19 Schools team in 2003-2004. Two years later, he shifted to Qatar to play for Asian Club. Ever since he became eligible to play for the Gulf country and toured Thailand in 2010, he held his place in the team with his dedication and hard work.
Qatar then had limited opportunity to play the international cricket for four to five years. However, the national body management, headed by Yousef Jeham Al Kuwari, began investing in the development of the domestic structure seriously and heavily. The efforts were rewarded and the Qatar team started producing good
results. Its ranking, which was in the 90s once, improved to highest-ever 21st. “It was a very good team effort. All the players put in a great deal of hard work.
President Al Kuwari guided well to boost the sport. Former captain Inam-ul-Haq
and present skipper Iqbal Hussain Choudhry led from the front. Domestic Cricket Head Gul Khan Jadoon also played his part nicely.
“Due to the Covid-19, the activities had to be stopped for one and a half years. Itwas quite depressing mentally. Players kept themselves fit with work-out at gym. However, the situation is now improving and it allowed the sport to resume activities,” added Rizlan.
“The players are practising in right earnest. The intensity in training is picking and the team is shaping well. Some new faces are in the final squad after getting the eligibility. This is a good sign for the team and we look to have a strong melange of young and experienced players,” Rizlan said when asked about the arrival of
some newcomers.
“Andri (Berenger), Murad (Khan) and Sandun (Vithanage) are exciting talent. They will hopefully gell well with captain Iqbal (Choudhry), (Muhammad) Tanveer, Kamran (Khan), (Mohammed) Ikram, Zaheer (Ibrahim), Imal (Liyanage) and me to help us put up a strong challenge for other teams.”
Rizlan pointed out that all-rounder Tamoor Sajjad was not in the team and he would be missed. “Sajjad has gone to settle down in England with his family. I would miss him a lot as we helped the national team win some crucial matches.
Now the burden of responsibility may be a little heavier for me. I will try to do my best in tight situations.”
Like other players, Rizlan also emphasized that there are no favorites in the qualifiers. “The Covid-19 pandemic has brought all the teams back to square one. All will have to start afresh. This is a good chance for us to get back into international limelight.
“If we win here, it will not only be a history-making moment for Qatar but also a big motivation for us for the next stage. All teams will come prepared but none has any particular edge.
“Our first match against Bahrain should be very interesting. They are always very unpredictable. The T20 is anybody’s game. Rankings don’t matter. It is just a number. On a particular day, whichever team is playing hard should be able toend up as the winner. We just hope to showcase our all the hard work of four to five years well and enable Qatar to clear this competition,” Rizlan said.
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