Hong Kong off-spinner Ehsan Khan feels overwhelmed after taking the wicket of Indian wicketkeeper-batsman and former Indian skipper MS Dhoni as he believes that Dhoni’s wicket is equal to five wickets for himself.
On last Tuesday (September 18), India met with Hong Kong in the Group A game of the ongoing Asia Cup 2018 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai). Ehsan Khan dismissed MS Dhoni for a duck through the caught behind to the wicketkeeper. After taking that wicket, Ehsan celebrated that hugely.
Talking about that wicket, the 33-year-old told Cricketnext, “They asked why did I bow down to god after taking Dhoni’s wicket. I told them for me Dhoni’s wicket is equal to five wickets. I tell everyone that I took six wickets against India.”
In that game, Ehsan got two wickets and his bowling figure was 10-0-65-2. Earlier, he dismissed the Indian skipper and opener Rohit Sharma for 23 runs. But, Ehsan feels overwhelmed after taking the wicket of MS Dhoni.
Later talking about Dhoni’s dismissal, Ehsan revealed that he didn’t hear the edge and neither the umpire. But once they appealed for that, Dhoni started to walk and Ehsan felt great that reaction from Dhoni.
Ehsan said on that, “To be really honest, I didn’t hear the edge and neither did the umpire. I just appealed after the wicket-keeper but Dhoni just started walking. The umpire asked me later if I heard anything and I said no. But such is the greatness of Dhoni. When I came onto bat later on, I told him that I will meet him after the game. I don’t know if I will get such an opportunity ever again in my life.”
Earlier in this tournament, during the Pakistan match, Ehsan also picked up two wickets as he dismissed Fakhar Zaman (24) and Babar Azam (33).
Talking about the in-form opener Zaman’s wicket, Ehsan said, “Against Pakistan in warm-up, I was talking to Mohammed Amir, he told me that if Fakhar Zaman scores a half-century, he will score the next 50 runs against you in three overs but I got him out first ball. These are the memories which will stay with me forever.”
The Hong Kong international cricketer was born in Peshawar (Pakistan). Later, he moved to Rawalpindi for cricket. He also played U-15 & U-19 level for Rawalpindi and also played for Sadiq Akbar Memorial Cricket Club. But after realising his tough chance to represent the Pakistan national cricket team, he moved to Hong Kong in late 2012.
Ehsan said, “I just lived in a room, cooking for myself as I couldn’t eat out. It was a difficult time as I was supporting my family in Pakistan and also sustaining myself here. People here questioned my decision as well, they told me to go back to Pakistan if I wanted to play cricket but I kept on working on my game.”
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After losing the first game against Pakistan by eight wickets in the one-sided game, Hong Kong fought very hard against India and impressed the cricket world. Though they lost that game too, they were just 26 runs short from India’s total and showed a great unforgettable fight back against the powerful cricket team. Ehsan requests the world cricket, including ICC, BCCI and PCB, to support their cricket.
Ehsan said, “We have shown the world that we can play but pursuing the sport is very difficult in Hong Kong. I coach kids from India and Pakistan to make my ends meet. I train on weekends with the team, we have only one international ground and two other local grounds. Not only ICC, I also request the BCCI and PCB to support cricket in Hong Kong. Only then will cricket grow here.”
