Over 50’s cricketers practice with fervor, nostalgia and passion to excel

By K.R. Nayar

It’s not youngsters alone who are now coming out to play cricket in the UAE, but past cricketers over the age of 50 are also returning to play the game.  The trend of attracting over 50’s began when a group of former cricketers who had played international cricket for the UAE or their country of birth but now living in the UAE decided to return to the cricket field and launched the Over 50’s cricket. As the first step, net practice sessions have commenced at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Over 50's cricketers after their practice session at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium

During this net session, cricketers, who once won laurels through heroic performances during their playing days, displayed their skills which they hadn’t polished ever since they had stopped playing regularly. Bowlers were on target and almost all batsmen were not only middling the ball well but also playing delectable shots, proving that the basics of the game learned well will never be forgotten.

 “We already have a pool of 45 players who have attended the practice sessions. A few are travelling and hence could not come for this session but have confirmed their participation as soon as they are back,” remarked Vijay Mehra, who had played for the UAE in the 1996 World Cup and is now a member of the management committee that initiated the creation of Over 50’s cricket in the UAE. Along with him in the committee are Akbar Rana, former UAE player turned coach, and Syed Rafiullah, who had played for Canada in the 50’s World Cup in Australia and South Africa.

Vijay Mehra, Akbar Rana and Syed Rafiullah at the practice session

To give a boost to those who returned to cricket was CTK Nasir, a special invitee for the practice session at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Nasir was the right choice to motivate the players since he is one of the veteran cricketers in the UAE who has never stopped playing and encourages everyone to play the game. He is the founder of Tellicherry Cricket Club, one of the oldest cricket clubs in the UAE, and has also inspired his brothers and family members to take up cricket.

CTK Nasir and Shiraz Osman being introduced to the players

Any plan can be successful only if it is backed and supported by sports enthusiasts who would be willing to offer financial support to take it forward. The Over 50’s group has been fortunate to get support from Shiraz Osman, Founder and Chairman of Delta Food Industries. “It’s important that people of this age play sports to remain healthy and I am delighted to offer my support,” said Shiraz, who has launched a new brand Dr Kitchen for evaporated milk and sterilized cream.

Shiraz Osman (second from left) with Over 50's management team 

The practice session was also nostalgic for many of the players since it was a reunion of those who had competed regularly during their playing days. In fact, many of them used to practice regularly at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium practice arena to sharpen their skills and remain in form. The enthusiasm and joy with which they practiced was infectious and many who came to watch them play announced that they too would return to action.

The Over 50’s management has plans to create three teams of Over 50’s for pan UAE competitions.  Tours have also been planned to other countries to play against their Over 50’s teams.

Many of the players who had come for the practice session carried with them years of experience playing cricket. Among them was Ajith Weerakkody, a former Sri Lankan player who interestingly had made his One Day International debut for Sri Lanka at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium against New Zealand in the 1994 Pepsi Austral-Asia Cup, and is now a coach grooming budding cricketers in the UAE. 

Like Weerakkody, many others who had turned up for practice, have turned coaches. Akbar Rana, who is in the Over 50’s management committee, is also a coach. So are CTK Mashood and Usman Kutty, brothers of CTK Nasir. Both of them have represented Kerala state in the Ranji Trophy matches. 

Adel Farooq in action during the practice session 

UAE national Adel Farooq, who played international cricket for the UAE and was the vice-captain of the team, was also at the practice session. Adel has never stopped playing and has represented teams such as Dubai Cricket Council (DCC) and Sharjah Colts, Mashreq Bank, ABN Amro Bank, Du Telecom, Farooq Cricket Club, Darjeeling Cricket Club, DCC Starlets, ECB Colts and is now with Dubai Mammoths.

Abbas Ali Khan, a wicketkeeper batsman who had played for Hyderabad and represented the India Under-19 team, returned to play cricket only because of the formation of this Over 50’s group. After the practice session he remarked that he wants to continue playing, especially after having played high level cricket with some of the renowned Test stars during his young days.

Vijay Mehra bats at the nets 

Rejee Mohan, who has played for Kerala, is another cricketer who continues to play the game. As an Under-19 cricketer, he played for the Rest of India Under-19 team. He has also captained the Kerala Overseas Cricketers team and now plays in Dubai Cricket Council’s Mammoth League. Mohan remarked that these practices with Over 50s would also prepare him for the Veterans Premier League (VPL) to be held in Alleppey, Kerala, soon. 

Two other interesting players who were also at the training were Ambey Parwatkar and Bobby Suri.  Ambey played Ranji Trophy for Goa and had produced sterling performances in domestic cricket in the UAE. Bobby Suri is the father of UAE’s vice-captain Chirag Suri. In addition to inspiring his son to play at the highest level, he too has not stopped playing and now plays in the Dubai Mammoth League regularly. Cricket coach in the UAE Shahzada Saleem Qasim provided all arrangements for the practice.

“A few players who have come for practice were not yet in their 50s. But we want them to practice so that they will continue playing and add to the continuity of the Over 50’s,” said Mehra, who is hoping to field a strong UAE team in the Over 50’s World Cup to be held in 2023 in Cape Town. In fact, Vijay Mehra, Akbar Rana and Syed Rafiullah, have been appointed by Stirling Hamman, Chairman of the Over 50's World Cup Committee, to coordinate over 50's Cricket in the UAE.

With this practice session as the beginning of active cricket for the over 50's in the UAE, the Over 50's management is looking to conduct Pan UAE matches, touring abroad to play in tournaments, and regular participation in the Over 50’s World Cup in the coming years.

All Over 50’s who wish to return to cricket can contact Syed Rafiullah (050 9579595), Akbar Rana (050 6776302) or Vijay Mehra (050 6173177)