At 17 years and seven months, Mohammed Riyan became the youngest to score a century in an Abu Dhabi Cricket Council competition in the Twenty20 format.
Pankaj Samant was the first, followed by Shivank Vijaykumar, but they were a few months older than Riyan. All of them were playing for Zayed Cricket Academy and went on to represent the UAE in the Under 19 age group.
Riyan was the first student to win a cricket scholarship to England and enrolled at Ardingly School, Sussex. However, he returned after 18 months to rejoin The Cambridge High School in Abu Dhabi.
Born and raised in the capital to Indian parents, Riyan was spotted as a cricket prodigy at age nine.
A dashing opening batsman, he has won many awards at local tournaments and continues to play for his school as well as the Zayed Cricket Academy.
Q. How and when did your passion for cricket start?
A. I was around five and use to play in the corridors of the apartment building I lived in. I also used to watch my father [Mohammed Zaheer, a procurement manager at Etihad Airways] and uncle play cricket, and they took me along whenever they went to play. They use to bowl at me and taught me how to play.
So who is your biggest influence in cricket?
My father. He has supported in every possible way. He has provided me everything that I need to fulfil my passion and pursue my cricket.
When did you get your first formal coaching?
When I was six I attended my first cricket coaching clinic and had a one-to-one with [former India captain] Bishan Singh Bedi and [former Pakistan captain] Mushtaq Mohammed in Abu Dhabi. Thereafter, I have worked with several coaches.
Who is your role model in cricket?
Virat Kohli. I like his approach and the way he plays.
What are your ambitions, both short and long term?
Short term, I’m looking forward to representing the UAE U19 team again for the next tournament, and long term will to try get back to England, perhaps, by joining a university to pursue a full-time career in cricket.
Do you regret returning halfway through your studies at Ardingly School, for whatever reasons?
Yes, I do. That was a terrible mistake and I have learnt the lesson of my life.
Have you spoken to anyone about wanting to pursue a full-time career in cricket?
I have discussed it with my parents and they have no issues.
Do you think you have what it takes to make it as a professional?
If I wanted to play cricket part-time, I would have got bored by now. Even if you ask me to go and train or play a game at short notice, I wouldn’t think twice. That’s how passionate I am. I don’t think I’ll get tired of cricket anytime soon.
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