When Umair Ali Khan took four wickets in four balls on Day 2 of the Emirates D10, it was the first time he had achieved that particular feat in his cricket career.
He has, though, become used to dealing in multiples just lately. Last month, he became a father to twins.
Now he is hoping his sons, Mohsin and Marwan, will be the “good luck charms” that help fuel his return to the UAE national team for the first time in five years.
The 34-year-old all-rounder played two one-day internationals and three T20s in 2015. The UAE were in the midst of a slump at the time, and he suffered in the fallout.
Despite being a regular at the top end of the domestic game, he has not been called for national duty since.
The Fujairah resident is hoping to catch the eye of the selectors via the new T10 competition, which is being played at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
He has made the perfect start in doing so, taking 4-6 in two overs to inspire Bukhatir XI to success over Team Abu Dhabi on the second day of the competition.
“This tournament is very important for me if I am going to make it back into the UAE team,” Umair said.
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Emirates D10 kicks off with a thriller
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“It is five years since I played in the T20 World Cup Qualifier [in Scotland] and after that I have been out of the team.
“I don’t know why because I have been performing well in domestic cricket. Inshallah, I hope I can come back strongly in the team again.
“I have never given up. Day by day I have been trying to do my best, and have been waiting for my chance.”
Although he was born in Karachi, Umair has lived most of his life in Fujairah, where his father worked.
“My father was working in Fujairah for 45 years, but five months ago he died,” Umair said.
“Then, Mashallah, I became a father with twins last month, and my son Mohsin is named after my father.
“Everyone – my brother, my colleagues, my family – they have all been supporting me and are happy for me.
“I am so happy to become a father. I am very lucky, and I hope they will be my good luck charms.”
Renjth Mani took three wickets and then hit 29 in nine balls as Bukhatir XI beat Team Abu Dhabi by eight wickets on Saturday.
