As the business development manager for Sharjah cricket, Khalid Shah was always due to be heading into the office this Friday afternoon, and expected to work late.
His role involves overseeing cricket operations at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, included in which has been the running of the 46th Bukhatir League, the country’s oldest and best-regarded cricket tournament.
His excellence on the field, though, means he will not be consigned to desk duties.
Instead, he will be lining up as a key figure in Bukhatir XI’s pursuit of the title in the final against InterGlobe Marine.
On Wednesday night, Shah scored his maiden century in the competition. It paved the way for a huge, 241-run win over Atlas Foundation in the second semi-final.
The fixture finished at around midnight, and Shah was permitted a late start the following morning as a reward.
“The Bukhatir League is one of the best tournaments in the entire region, so it was my dream to score a hundred in it,” Shah said.
“A lot of people think I am just a T10 or T20 batsman, but yesterday I proved them wrong. It was a hundred in 108 balls.
“Scoring it in such a big event, in the semi-final to help take your team to the final, I think is a big achievement for a cricketer.”
The left-handed batsman is one of six brothers – and coincidentally the only one of them not to have been born in the UAE.
When he reached three figures, his name was being chanted from the seats in front of the newly extended Royal Box, from where his mother blew him a kiss.
“My parents were there yesterday, so it was quite an emotional moment,” Shah said.
“It was my first Bukhatir League hundred, and even my first 50.”
After Shah’s effort from No 3 in the batting order, Fayyaz Ahmed blazed a century in just 49 balls to lead Bukhatir XI to an imposing total of 358-6 from 50 overs.
Atlas Foundation were blown away in reply, as they crumbled to 117 all out in the 30th over.
Their demise was brought about by the 15-year-old left-arm spinner Ayan Afzaal Khan, who took 5-24.
Waiting for them in the final will be InterGlobe Marine, who eased past Phoenix Medicine by seven wickets in the first semi-final.
Hazrat Luqman took five wickets and Rahul Sharma, the former India leg-spinner, took three as Phoenix were bowled out for 191.
Mohammed Wasim then continued his blistering form from the Abu Dhabi T10 as he made 114 in 69 balls to make short work of the run chase.
“When you are playing the final of a 50-over tournament, one thing is for sure – the two teams are the best teams,” Shah said.
“Our team is well balanced. IGM’s team is well balanced. It will be a clash of the titans. They have good bowlers who are in form, but Khalaf [Bukhatir, the team manager] tells us one thing: play the ball not the bowler.”
