Record-breaking UAE's budding cricketer Sharafu aims high

By K.R. Nayar 

Seventeen-year-old Sharafu, who broke his own record in the Emirates Cricket Board League Under-19 event aims to cement his place in the UAE senior team and also eyes to play alongside international cricketers in the Abu Dhabi T10 League

Ali Shan Sharafu

Ali Shan Sharafu was at the launch of the Ajman T10 Talent Hunt League last Wednesday night. This 17-year-old, who is one of the most promising UAE cricketers, came for the launch after breaking his own record in the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB)  League Under-19 tournament.

In 2019, Sharafu had hit 151 runs to set a new mark in this league. In this season, he bettered it by hitting 155 against Maxtalent Academy. His knock contained 13 sixes, and his ton came off 59 balls to shatter his own record.

In the Ajman T10 Talent Hunt League, he will be playing for Pacific Goltay that is made up of budding cricketers, and he will be aiming to put up a good show to be picked for the oncoming Abu Dhabi T10 league.

Sharafu is training hard at the Frontfoot Cricket School Of Excellence to break more records. Pushing him to do better is UAE opener Chirag Suri, who also coaches at this Academy. Sharafu's childhood coach Obaid Hameed is also keeping a close watch on him.

Sharafu’s talent and consistency in school cricket won him a place in the UAE senior team in the 2020 Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifiers in Muscat, Oman. In the five matches that he played, he could not get to bat in the first match. But in the second he remained unbeaten, and in the third, he was run out for 12.  Armed with more scores from domestic cricket, he now wants to create waves for the UAE national team, if picked.

Talking about setting the new record, Sharafu said: “I’m extremely happy not just because of my record but that I am also leading my academy with more responsibility now.  Punya Mehra, who is my opening partner, has been terrific, and we complement each other very well. I want to keep knocking on the doors of the senior team and hopefully start playing leagues around the world.”

Sharafu was just 15 when he played for the UAE Under-19 team. He played in the Under-19 Asia Cup and Under-19 World Cup in South Africa this year. UAE’s new coach Robin Singh, who has an eye for young talent, gave him the opportunity to play for the senior team. “I want to work harder and be a permanent member of the UAE team in all formats of the game," said Sharafu, whose new record has helped him amass 282 runs in the league this year.

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