TABISH KHAN- A JOURNEY OF NEVER GIVING UP

 

TABISH KHAN- A JOURNEY OF NEVER GIVING UP

From being a boy who discovered his love for the game to becoming a domestic stalwart and then ultimately witnessing his dream to play for his country turning in reality at the time when everyone has given up, Tabish Khan’s journey is an inspiration for everyone

Tabish Khan(Right ) shaking hands with Misbah after getting his Test Cap

 

Tabish Khan was 36 years 146 days when he received Pakistan’s Test cap, an age when majority of the cricketers decide to hang their boots. A time when they start thinking of an alternate career in business, in commentary or sports agencies especially if they have not been picked for international cricket. This is why Tabish Khan must be lauded for he had grinded for 18 years in Pakistan’s domestic cricket with a hope that someday he would play for Pakistan. However with time and age it seemed that his chance would never come but then management changed and Mohammad Wasim came in. Wasim who was supremely talented batsman himself had faced the wrath of horrible selections and never wanted the same to happen to anyone else.

Fawad Alam who had returned in 2019 but wasn’t being given consistent chance was given longer rope after Wasim came in, another domestic stalwart Nauman Ali was given chance, Abid Ali was assured that he would be given enough opportunities and when Sajid Khan and Hasan Ali was selected it was pretty sure that Wasim’s team was giving Pakistan’s first class cricket its due credit, those who were performing were being selected rather than those who were performing in Pakistan Super League (PSL). The biggest surprise was the inclusion of 36 year pacer Tabish Khan. Khan had been toiling in domestic cricket for almost two decades without any reward.  On 7^th May 2021, Tabish Khan became Pakistan’s 245 Test Cricket and the oldest debutant since 1956. 

Tabish’s first interaction with serious cricket was at the age of 15 when he went for trials for local clubs, surprisingly in his own words he was selected and this was the moment when he realised that he can become professional cricketer.  Tabish made his First class debut in January 2003 for Karachi Whites against Multan. 2008-09 was the year when he was noticed for the first time with 39 wickets in 10 games. It was however the season 2009-10 which proved to be breakthrough for Tabish, this year he was in supreme form picking up 61 wickets in 10 games at a remarkable average of 22.18.

In 2012-13, he again was among the wickets picking 34 wickets in 10 matches. His consistency was one of the factor which attracted majority of the experts, however Pakistan have always been blessed with speedsters who had some serious pace. Post 2015 when Mohammad Amir returned, it looked that it would be difficult for Tabish to get an opportunity as team management was mainly obsessed with speed or left arm seamers.

On the other hand Tabish was knocking the door even harder, with age his game was getting even better. In 2016-17 seasons he picked up 62 wickets in 9 matches at an astonishing average of 13.54.  He was second on the list and unfortunately missed out to Mohammad Abbas who was no.1 with 71 wickets.  It was a golden opportunity missed as many experts felt that at 32, he wouldn’t be able to get more chances, Tabish however have been more focused on performing well in the domestic cricket.

Tabish has toiled for 18 years in domestic cricket 

However with passing time there were no two thoughts that the chances of him representing Pakistan was getting slimmer until Mohammad Wasim took over charge as chief selector role. Wasim selected Tabish even though he was 36 years of age clearly underlying that performance not age shall be counted in terms of selection.

Tabish didn’t perform well on his debut but there was satisfaction which could be seen on his face.  His 18 years of hard work and dedication had bore the fruit, while it can’t be said whether he would be selected again or not but he has a great chance to play for more as Pakistan will play 13 Tests in next 18 months.

Whether Tabish plays or not but he should be proud of himself that he is one of the few individuals who have wore the elusive Test Cap for Pakistan and this became possible only because he never stopped dreaming.