New Delhi, Feb 13 (NationPress) As the evening sun cast its glow over the Arun Jaitley Stadium, tension hung thick in the air for the UAE team - needing 85 runs from 45 balls with Canada’s spinners tightening their grip in a chase of 151 runs. Wicketkeeper-batter Aryansh Sharma, a Noida native raised in Dubai, was spearheading UAE’s efforts but found himself running out of partners.

When the relatively unknown Sohaib Khan entered the fray, many assumed this player from Kothi village in Bihar’s Naxal-affected Imamganj would be a quick out, particularly as he had yet to make a significant mark on the international cricket scene. However, Sohaib carried with him the wise counsel of the legendary MS Dhoni.

It wasn’t the wisdom of championship victories or multiple IPL titles, but rather a single guiding principle from Dhoni’s philosophy that resonated with Sohaib - “The one who remains calm amidst chaos transforms pressure into opportunity.”

What followed was nothing short of miraculous – Sohaib smashed a stunning 51 runs off just 29 balls, breathing life into UAE’s chase of 151 and leading them to victory with two balls to spare. His exhilarating innings featured four boundaries and four sixes, marking only their third victory at a significant ICC event.

“The game plan was straightforward. We needed merely 12 runs per over. As MS Dhoni says, when you’re on the field and the pressure mounts, back yourself and remain composed. That was my mindset,” Sohaib remarked during the post-match press conference, still in disbelief over the outcome.

At 68/4 in the 13th over, the UAE seemed on the path to their second defeat in as many matches. Their key batsmen - Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu, both of whom scored half-centuries against New Zealand recently - had fallen cheaply. Canada’s left-arm spinner Saad Bin Zafar had dismantled the middle order with impressive figures of 3-14, putting the match beyond the UAE’s reach.

However, Sohaib, a financial consultant who juggles work and cricket under Dubai’s bright lights, turned the match on its head, securing a notable win for the UAE. This victory occurred in the city where he had embarked on his significant cricket journey just over a decade ago at the prestigious Jamia Millia Islamia, where he completed his 10+2 education and obtained a degree in Sociology.

“This was my home, the place where I began my professional cricketing career. I played consistently from 2014 to 2019 and participated in two consecutive North Zone tournaments from Jamia in 2017 and 2018.

“To be honest, this surpasses mere sport. As I stepped onto the field, I was aware of the situation. I relocated to the UAE in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and struggled to secure opportunities here.

“With my wife and daughter back home, I realized this was my moment to give it my all. I have faced considerable challenges in the last 4-5 years. If I could overcome this phase, then what more could I ask from God?” he expressed.

With a compact stance and solid timing, Sohaib entertained the 6325 fans in attendance. Dilon Heyliger’s 17th over saw him concede 17 runs — including a six over midwicket, a lofty four over mid-off, and another maximum into the sight-screen. Jaskarandeep Singh also struggled in the 18th over, allowing a four and six off the first two deliveries.

As he reached his half-century in just 28 balls, UAE required eight runs in the final over. What seemed impossible had become inevitable. Eleven runs through long-on, 16 through midwicket - it was clear Sohaib had a straightforward plan to dismantle Canada’s bowling.

Yet, the true story was in the eyes of a man who had played tennis-ball cricket in a village with minimal facilities, balancing stock market consultancy with night cricket in the UAE.

“At that moment, the tension was palpable as we needed twelve runs per over. I decided to trust my instincts and rely on my natural talent. The mindset was to target the shorter boundary ahead of us; we needed to hit boundaries with whatever deliveries came our way,” Sohaib stated.

None of this would have been achievable without Aryansh at the other end. The duo forged an impressive 84-run partnership, with Aryansh’s unbeaten 74 off 53 balls providing the solid foundation for Sohaib’s explosive innings. Prior to batting, affirming words from head coach, former Indian opener Lalchand Rajput, and Aryansh’s positivity greatly influenced Sohaib.

“Before Aryansh and I stepped onto the pitch, I must credit our coach, Lalchand Rajput, and the entire management team. When I approached the crease, they kept reiterating - just have faith in yourself. This is your moment; you can achieve it. Their support over the past two months has been instrumental, especially as I am a debutant in this setup.

“Two months ago, I made my ODI debut and transitioned to the T20I setup, which speaks volumes about their belief in me. Aryansh’s confidence was infectious; he kept encouraging me, saying, 'We’ve got this. We can do it.' You could see that reflected in his expressions during the match highlights,” he remarked.

Although Sohaib was dismissed in the final over with UAE needing just one run from three balls, he had already scripted a favorable outcome for his team. His journey from Kothi village to this pivotal moment had been anything but linear.

Sohaib's father, Adeeb Khan, also known as Jugnu Khan, a farmer and social activist, always prioritized the education of his children. When cricket emerged in Sohaib’s life at the tender age of six, his family fully supported him. Today, Sohaib runs the Kothi Club, providing facilities for those eager to pursue the sport seriously.

From Jamia Millia Islamia in 2014 under coach Sanjay Gill and the guidance of Prof Nafis Ahmad, and with the Gaya District Cricket Association interludes, followed by three seasons of inter-university cricket and stints with corporate teams like Collage, Uflex, and FCI in Delhi-NCR, Sohaib pieced together a comprehensive cricketing education.

In 2021, after his stint with Bihar fell through, he took a leap of faith upon spotting an opportunity and relocated to the UAE, representing Ajman Cricket Council in various Emirates Cricket Board tournaments including the D50, D20, and D10 formats. His four years of playing at notable venues like the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, and ICC Academy led to a call-up for the Development Tournament from Dubai Capitals in September 2025, gaining him recognition, even if the ILT20 auction overlooked him.

“In the UAE, I worked as a financial consultant and salesperson during the day. The infrastructure allows for night cricket, enabling me to balance both. For the last four to five months, I've been playing proper cricket. I currently work at a financial consulting firm named Prospero, specializing in stock marketing. I graduated in Sociology from Jamia,” he shared.

But as Sohaib learned, fate has its unique way of unfolding. His national call-up arrived on October 24, 2025, for the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 Tri-Series, followed by his inclusion in the squad for the T20 World Cup.

The setup that had supported Junaid Siddique in claiming five wickets for UAE - restricting Canada to 150/7 - also placed its trust in Sohaib when the required run rate surged beyond 12. “I’ve faced similar situations in tennis cricket back in Bihar. Even during my North Zone matches for Jamia, I encountered comparable scenarios in domestic matches in the UAE,” Sohaib noted.

“I always believed we could achieve this, considering our past successes. Out of ten times, you can do it three or four times if you trust yourself,” Sohaib concluded. On a February evening in Delhi, with pressure mounting and the prospect of defeat looming, that belief in Sohaib - inspired by Dhoni’s mantra, forged through Bihar’s dusty tennis-ball battles, and solidified in Dubai’s cricketing landscape - ultimately led to a remarkable win for the UAE, propelling him from obscurity to the spotlight of triumph.