A total of 1,000 cricket bats will be given away in celebration of the achievement of American cricketer Muhammad Ali Khan. This was disclosed by chairman of Cricket Council USA (CCUSA) Mahammad Qureshi to Guardian Sports yesterday.
Ali Khan made a name not only for himself but also for American cricket when he starred for the champions Trinbago Knight Riders in the just concluded Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament. He grabbed a total of 16 wickets to help his side to the title.
Ali Khan resides in Ohio and plays most of his cricket in the Midwest League which is under the umbrella of CCUSA. Qureshi who has spent a great deal of money in developing cricket in America said he has purchased a thousand bats to give away in celebration of the achievement.
“What Ali Khan has done in the CPL is to showcase American cricket and this can only boost the sport here. In order to help popularise the sport, I have decided to give away 1,000 bats and everyone interested in it will have to come to the US Open T20 championships to collect. This takes place from December 12 - 17 at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill.”
Ali Khan is expected to be in action at this tournament, as he has been one of the biggest names to have played in the US$100,000 tournament.
Qureshi said: “You can also get one by joining our social media site cricketerbook.com. We want everyone to follow in the footsteps of Ali, so we are doing our part to assist in achieving this. We have a cricket Academy at the Boca Riding Country Club and we want players to come and join. Cricket in America has been given a shot in the arm by Ali Khan and we must seize the moment.
“We want to show the kids here that cricket is attractive, so all those who would have watched the exploits of Ali and the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), would have gained renewed interest in the sport.”
Qureshi has had a major hand in the development of Ali Khan and wants more young Americans to come forward and progress in the sport.
Former Pakistan middle-order batsman Faisal Iqbal said: “Credit to you Mahammad Qureshi bahi for providing the platform of US Open cricket tournament for USA players including Ali Khan to rub shoulders with all the international players around the world including me with USA players.”