The Super 10 round of the 2016 ICC World T20 has five Asian and as many non-Asian teams taking part. Interestingly, there’s a common link to the non-Asian sides. Read story to find out about it
The Super 10 round of the 2016 ICC World T20 has five Asian and as many non-Asian teams taking part. Interestingly, each non-Asian side in the tournament has at least one player of Asian origin in their squad. Here’s a look.
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England (Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid): The English side has two players of Pakistani-origin in their squad. The leggie Rashid was born in Yorkshire, but he belongs to the Mirpuri community. His family migrated from Mirpur, Azad Kashmir to England in 1967. Moeen too is of Pakistani descent. He was born in Birmingham, and also belongs to the Mirpuri community. Moeen’s grandfather migrated to England many years ago.
New Zealand (Ish Sodhi): When Pakistan took on New Zealand at Mohali, it was a homecoming of sorts for the Kiwi leggie. The 23-year-old was born in Ludhiana, which is around 90 kms from Mohali. Sodhi's parents moved to Auckland when he was four-years-old.
South Africa (Imran Tahir): Born and brought up in Lahore, Tahir represented Pakistan Under-19 and Pakistan A as well, but could not break through into the national team. Subsequently, he moved to South Africa, and became eligible to play for the Proteas, after meeting the four-year residence requirement in April 2009.
Australia (Usman Khawaja): Born in Islamabad in Pakistan, Khawaja’s family moved to New South Wales when he was a child. He became the first Muslim cricketer to represent Australia when he made his debut in the 2010–11 Ashes. Khawaja is a qualified commercial and instrument rated pilot.
West Indies (Samuel Badree): The Windies leg spinner was born to an Indo-Trinidadian family in Barrackpore, a town in Trinidad. Before taking up cricket professionally, Badree was a physical education teacher. All pics/AFP