From USA to the IPL: Ali Khan’s eventful journey
Ali Khan might not be the new name in the world of cricket, but not many are aware of his journey. The 29-year-old got his name registered in the history books of cricket by becoming the first cricketer from the land of USA who would flaunt his class in IPL 2020. The right-arm pacer has been recently snapped by Kolkata Knight Riders to fill the void of Harry Gurney, who is out of action for a while.
Ali Khan spent the early years of his life in Pakistan, where he took birth, but his passion for the game of cricket pushed him to cross the boundaries of the nation. At the age of 18, he set foot for the USA and started giving his sweat and blood to the game. The international journey for him flagged off in the year 2018, where he was named in the United States’ squad for the ICC World T20. He has sported the national cap only once in an ODI against Papua New Guinea.
Exploits in the CPL
However, Ali Khan’s class in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League has left everyone pleased. He was part of the winning team, Trinbago Knight Riders, where he scalped eight wickets in as many matches. His best bowling figures stand to be 2/25 with a decent economy of 7.43. Ali has been part of the TKR for three years now. In his debut season, he impressed many by scalping 16 wickets followed by ten wickets in the 2019 season. Going by his current form, he can turn out to be a great signing for Dinesh Karthik-led franchise.
The 29-year-old was very much in touch with KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan and CEO Venky Mysore since 2018. He was trying his best to be part of the squad. It seems luck has favoured him now, and he is all set to be the part of the team. Khan was the only player who registered for IPL 2020 auctions from the United States but went unsold.
Other performances
Though he has sported the ODI jersey only once, Ali Khan has earned himself a great name for plying trade in various T20 leagues throughout the world. The league he has been part of includes, Caribbean Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Global T20 Canada, Abu Dhabi T10 League, and Bangladesh Premier League. The Pakistan-born cricketer has also been part of nine List A matches along with 36 T20s so far.
Khan might not have a big name at the international level but is well- conditioned with playing in all parts of the world. Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav are skilled enough to take care of the spin attack for the team. If given a chance in the playing XI, Khan, coupled with the experience of Pat Cummins, might win big for the team.
