Mehran Khan emerged into the cricketing spotlight with a remarkable performance against Namibia in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Representing Oman, the 37-year-old medium pacer showcased his skills with an impressive spell, recording figures of 3/7 in three overs. In a tense match in Barbados, Oman was defending a modest target of 110 runs. The game went down to the final over, with Khan tasked to defend five runs from six balls.
He rose to the occasion, taking two wickets in the first three balls, shifting the momentum in Oman’s favor. With two runs required off the last ball, David Wiese of Namibia failed to connect, but a fumble by wicketkeeper Naseem Khushi allowed Namibia to steal a bye, leading to their eventual victory in the Super Over. Despite Oman’s loss, Khan’s bowling performance drew significant attention.
Here are five intriguing facts about Mehran Khan
1. T20 Debut in 2015 :
Oman made their first T20 World Cup appearance in 2016, with qualifiers held in Europe in 2015. Mehran Khan debuted in T20 cricket during this period, playing against Kenya on July 11, 2015, in Edinburgh. Although he did not bowl in his debut match, he contributed 13 runs off 14 balls batting at No. 5. Oman narrowly lost that game by eight runs in pursuit of 145.
2. T10 Cricket Success :
Khan has extensive experience in club cricket, particularly in the T10 format. According to his CricClubs profile, he has played 29 T10 matches, taking 22 wickets, with his best bowling figures being 5/13. His ability to take multiple wickets is also evident in T20 club cricket, where his best figures are 5/43.
3. Social Media Presence :
Although not very active on social media, Khan made a notable post in 2022. He shared a meme related to the Asia Cup, highlighting a poll where 69% of fans favored India to win. Contrary to the poll, Sri Lanka won the tournament, and Khan humorously tagged Sri Lankan commentator Russell Arnold, noting his joy at the unexpected victory.
4. Batting Prowess :
In addition to his bowling, Mehran Khan is a capable batsman. He has scored 268 runs in 29 T20I innings at a strike rate of 111.66. In April 2022, he showcased his batting skills in a local 50-over tournament, scoring a remarkable 134 runs off 100 balls, including eight fours and 11 sixes for the Oman Stallions.
5. Interaction with Cricket Legends :
In early 2022, Oman hosted the Legends League Cricket tournament, featuring many retired cricket stars. Khan had the opportunity to interact with former Indian cricketers like Wasim Jaffer, Yusuf Pathan, and Munaf Patel, possibly gaining valuable insights and tips from these seasoned players.
Khan’s blend of bowling prowess and batting capability, coupled with his experience and interactions with cricket legends, makes him a notable figure in Omani cricket.
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