Sohaib Khan on MS Dhoni: Dhoni’s formula worked under pressure… Shoaib revealed the secret after leading the team to victory

New Delhi. Shoaib Khan, who led the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup by playing an innings of 51 runs in 29 balls in moments of pressure against Canada, said that he was trying to follow former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni while chasing the target. Shoaib, who hails from Gaya, Bihar, said after the match, ‘When I came to the crease, the situation was very difficult, at that time more than 12 runs per over were required. I supported batting in my own way.

After scoring 150 runs for seven wickets, Canada took six wickets of UAE till 66 runs in the 13th over. Shoaib’s partnership of 84 runs in 43 balls with opener Aryansh Sharma (73 not out in 53 balls) helped the team win. Referring to Dhoni, who is considered an expert batsman in the last overs of limited overs cricket, Shoaib said, ‘We had to score runs at the rate of 12-13 runs per over. Once Mahendra Singh Dhoni had said that when you are on the pitch and the pressure is increasing, just maintain patience and composure and I did the same here.

This right-handed batsman, who started his professional cricket from Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, said, ‘I have spent my childhood in Gaya, Bihar. I started my professional cricket from Jamia Millia Islamia. I have represented Jamia in North Zone cricket for three-four years since 2014. I was not getting opportunities here so I thought I should take a chance. I started playing professional cricket quite late. I went to UAE in the year 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This 27-year-old batsman, who works as a financial advisor in UAE, said, ‘I work as a financial advisor in a company there. As it happens in UAE, we usually do our jobs during the day and practice cricket in the evening. I have been playing cricket continuously for the last four-five months. My parents, my wife and my daughter were present here, so I thought that whatever struggle I have done in the last few years, this is my chance to prove it right.

Giving credit for the improvement in his game to coach Lalchand Rajput, he said that it was due to his support that despite making his debut recently, I got a chance in the World Cup. He said, ‘I would like to give credit to my coach Lalchand Rajput. When I was going to bat he said take your time and you can do it. I have recently made my debut. In such a situation, showing confidence in me says a lot.

This is the fourth T20 international of Shoaib, who made his debut in November last year. Praising veteran Junaid Siddiqui, who took five wickets in the match, he said, “Junaid is our senior bowler and he has the ability to bowl well on any wicket. He could not do anything special against New Zealand but today he led the team to victory by taking five wickets.