Kerala’s CP Rizwan scored his international century for UAE in yesterdays match against Ireland.
Even though he tried to make a debut for Kerala long time back, it didn’t went well. Rizwan is an electrical engineering graduate.
He scored a match-winning 109 (136 balls; 9×4, 1×6) in the first ODI against Ireland in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Thus, Rizwan has thus become the first Keralite to score an ODI century representing any country.
“It’s a great moment in my life. Ireland is a team that plays international cricket regularly. To score a century against them in a winning cause is immensely satisfying.” he said.
He said he wanted to thank Sanju Samson because he played with the bat gifted by Sanju during India’s camp in the UAE after the IPL.
Rizwan, 32, is from Thalassery, Kannur and he used to represented Kerala in the junior levels but a senior Kerala cap eluded him.
“I used to play for Students Club in Thalassery and Cordiant in Kochi. I was part of the senior Kerala squad for two years but could not get into the playing eleven. In 2014, I got a job in Sharjah and started playing cricket here,” He said.
Rizwan was batting at No. 3 for UAE for the first time and has repaid the faith shown by coach Robin Singh.
After the match Rizwan said that “I got a few 40s against Zimbabwe but could not make them count. Robin Singh trusted me and sent me in at one-down today and I’m so happy to have lived up to his expectations. I would like to continue to do my best for the team and help them qualify for the 2023 World Cup.”
Scores: Ireland 269/5 in 50 overs (Paul Stirling 131 no, A Balbirnie 53; R Mustafa 2/43) lost to UAE 270/4 in 49 overs (CP Rizwan 109, Muhammad Usman 102 no; Curtis Campher 2/31, Barry McCarthy 2/60) by 6 wickets.