Hyderabad: For former Hyderabad captain MV Narasimha Rao and the North West Warriors team in Ireland it was a moment to celebrate when Pakistan pace bowler Tabish Khan finally got his Test cap against Zimbabwe last week in Harare after waiting for 18 years.
The 36-year-old Khan, who played in 138 first class matches, got his first Test wicket in his very first over also. Narasimha Rao was delighted that Khan was awarded the Test cap for his hard work. “It was better late than never but Tabish deserves the Test cap,’’ said Narasimha Rao from Ireland.
‘`Tabish came to Ireland as a professional cricketer in 2016 and played for Fox Lodge Cricket Club. During that time I was the coach of North West Warriors and I took him for the interprovincial championship. Apart from NW Warriors there are three other teams in the three-day league format tournament. He captured five wickets in his first match against Northern Knights,’’ Narasimha Rao recalled.
The former Hyderabad and India all-rounder said Khan was a true professional cricketer. “He is a fitness fanatic and he is sharp off the wicket. He had the ability to swing the ball both ways,’’ said Narasimha Rao, who is now the selector of NW Warriors.
Rao, who has been doing a lot of charity work during the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland, said there was good news in that country as all the sporting activity will return soon. “We are eagerly looking forward to sporting action. It is a big relief from the pandemic,’’ added the 66-year-old.
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