Rohan Mustafa, the Pakistan-born offspinning allrounder, is a prominent figure in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) cricket team. His journey from a young boy in Sharjah to representing his adopted country at international level is one of resilience and determination.
Born in Pakistan, Mustafa moved to Sharjah at the tender age of ten. It was here that he discovered his passion for cricket and enrolled in the cricket academy in his new city. Unfortunately, tragedy struck five years later when he lost his father, who also happened to be one of his cricket mentors. Despite this devastating loss, Mustafa remained steadfast in his pursuit of the game that he loved.
In 2007, at the age of 17, Mustafa was selected to represent the UAE Under-19 team, marking his first foray into competitive cricket. That same year, he made his List A debut, showcasing his skills on a larger stage. However, it would be several more years before Mustafa would make his senior international debut.
Finally, in 2014, Mustafa earned his first cap for the UAE national team in an ODI World Cup Qualifier game against Scotland. It was a significant milestone in his career, symbolizing his hard work and determination paying off. Unfortunately, his progress was briefly derailed when he was banned from the UAE for a year due to alleged “absconding from duty.” However, Mustafa managed to overcome this setback and returned in time to be selected for the 2015 World Cup squad.
Although the World Cup campaign did not pan out as Mustafa would have hoped, the pinnacle of his career thus far came in an ODI against Papua New Guinea in 2017. Opening the batting, Mustafa played a scintillating knock of 109 and then followed it up with an exceptional bowling performance, claiming figures of 5 for 25. His all-round display was remarkable, making him only the third player in ODI history to score a century and take five wickets, joining the likes of Viv Richards and Paul Collingwood.
Mustafa continued his excellent form against Papua New Guinea, amassing scores of 95 and 88 in subsequent matches against them in 2018 and 2022, respectively. Despite his individual brilliance in the latter innings, UAE unfortunately fell short in their pursuit of victory.
Throughout his career, Mustafa has proven to be an invaluable asset to the UAE cricket team. Known for his offspin bowling and powerful strokeplay, he has become one of the team’s key players. His reliability with both bat and ball has earned him a reputation as a top performer.
As of 2022, Mustafa continues to represent the UAE in international cricket, striving to lead his team to success. With each match, he demonstrates his unwavering commitment to the game and serves as an inspiration to young cricketers across the region. As his career progresses, there is no doubt that Rohan Mustafa will continue to leave his mark on the sport and establish himself as one of the UAE’s most respected cricket players.
