Riyaz Khaliq

Riyaz Khaliq
Nationality: United Arab Emirates
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Date of Birth: 1986-11-21 Age: 38

Bio

Career Stats

Fixtures

Teams

Born on November 21, 1986, Riyaz Khaliq emerged from the dusty lanes of Hyderabad to become one of the most versatile bowlers of his generation. Growing up, cricket was more than just a game for Riyaz; it was a calling. Early on, he was recognised for his natural talent, particularly his ability to unlock the secrets of various pitches, a skill he would refine over countless hours of practice, pushing the boundaries of his physical limits.

Riyaz commenced his professional journey in domestic cricket, harnessing his right-arm bowling prowess to become indispensable to his team’s arsenal. His debut was marked not just by skill, but by a quiet yet formidable determination—traits that quickly won him respect in the fiercely competitive arena of Indian cricket.

A milestone came in 2008 when his spectacular, game-changing five-for in the Ranji Trophy not only turned heads but also cemented his place as a compelling force in bowling. Known for his relentlessly accurate deliveries and shrewd variations, Riyaz moulded a reputation for usurping even the most fortressed of batsmen, making life terrifically difficult for them.

Throughout his career, Riyaz revelled in the challenge of high-stakes encounters and his rivalry with Mumbai gripped fans, time and again. Those matches were studded with electrifying performances, none more so than his spell in the 2012 finals, where he masterfully took four crucial wickets, leading his team to a thrilling victory over their arch-nemeses, forever etching his name in the annals of cricket.

Not just a wizard with the ball, Riyaz, wielding his right-handed bat, also contributed crucial runs in lower-order stands, often stabilising innings under pressure. His ability to adapt his bowling—swing, pace, and spin—was matched by his knack for delivering when most needed, a quality few possess with such finesse.

In a sport often dictated by numbers, Riyaz’s impact transcended mere statistics. His unwavering sportsmanship and the nearly palpable tension of his fierce spells created moments of pure cricketing drama. A true luminary of the field, Riyaz Khaliq’s legacy is a testament to the raw passion and unrelenting spirit that cricket, at its core, truly celebrates.