Gulf News

Anwar blown away by response to his century

- By Chief Cricket Writer

Shaiman Anwar is struggling to come to terms with the excitement of having scored a century in the World Cup. On the UAE team’s arrival in Perth yesterday, he described the moments since his record-breaking innings of 106 against Ireland in Brisbane on Wednesday.

“It has been more than 24 hours since I got my century but till now I have hardly been able to put my mobile down. Everyone is calling me from Dubai and Pakistan. Frankly I did not have any idea that this century would be so special,” he said.

Anwar added that just to play in the World Cup was his only dream.

“Getting a century has made it even more special. Frankly it was just a normal game for me, but I never thought scoring a century in a World Cup would elicit such a response. Now I have an idea how big this event is. I wish everyone does well so that they can experience what I am experienci­ng now,” he said.

“I realised that if you hit a century in the World Cup, the entire world will watch you. It is a huge platform. I did not have any idea until two days ago how big it can get.

“I tell my teammates, it is a great opportunit­y, enjoy it and perform, then you will see what kind of response and respect you get. The next match is almost here [against India on Saturday] and now the expectatio­ns on me have increased. I will try to do my best to carry this forward.”

gulfnews.com

 ?? AFP ?? Memorable knock UAE batsman Shaiman Anwar plays a shot on the way to a century in his team’s Pool B match against Ireland at the Gabba stadium in Brisbane on Wednesday.
AFP Memorable knock UAE batsman Shaiman Anwar plays a shot on the way to a century in his team’s Pool B match against Ireland at the Gabba stadium in Brisbane on Wednesday.

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