13 Facts about Zafar Ansari - A genius turned cricketer

13 Facts about Zafar Ansari – A genius turned cricketer: Today, England announced its 16-man squad for the Test series against Pakistan to be played in UAE. One of the surprising faces in the squad was the name of the uncapped English cricketer, Zafar Shahaan Ansari. There were many people who got puzzled by his name in the squad but those who have seen him closely were always aware that this prodigal left-arm spinning all-rounder would make a cut to the Test squad one day.

He is a solid opening batsman who has the possession of a sound technique and is also in contention for opening alongside Alastair Cook in UAE. So far he has impressed the English cricket experts with his old-school batting which is based on patience.

Today, let’s have a look at 13 Facts about Zafar Ansari – A genius turned cricketer:

1. Birth:

Ansari was born on 10 December, 1991, in Ascot, Berkshire. He is a left-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox spinner.

2. Family:

His father is Professor Khizar Humayun Ansari who hails from Lahore, Pakistan and is a British academic. Khizar was awarded OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2002 for his work in the field of race and ethnic relations. His father settled in England in teens. Ansari’s mother is historian. His elder brother is Akbar Ansari who is also an First-Class cricketer.

3. Genius in Academics:

He is considered as England’s most academically gifted player since Ed Smith. He completed his graduation from Cambridge University and is a double first in politics and sociology. The southpaw is also in the middle of the 40,000-word masters on the 1960s civil rights movement in the American South.

4. Love for Piano:

Zafar Ansari is a multi-talented chap. He is a gifted concert pianist as well and plays the Piano to a high level.

5. Emergence:

Anasri completed his schooling from Hampton School in the London Borough of Richmond. He is a product of Surrey academy system and had represented the county even before he turned nine.

6. Junior level cricket:

Zafar has represented the English side at the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 level. He even captained the Under-15 side.

7. ODI Debut:

Zafar Ansari made his One Day International debut for the three lions against Ireland on 8 May 2015 but unfortunately due to persistent showers the game was called-off and only 18 overs could have been bowled in the entire match.

8. First-Class Debut:

Zafar made his First-Class debut in 2011 for Cambridge MCCU against Essex at Cambridge. In his debut innings he made a duck while with the ball he didn’t take a wicket. But in the 2^nd innings he took one wicket though didn’t get to bat. Similarly, his List-A debut was also not very impressive.

9. Memorable outing:

In 2011, while playing for Cambridge University against Surrey, he secured figures of 5/33. But the most notable thing was that he out foxed the maverick English batsman Kevin Pietersen which impressed everyone and soon he got a place in the Surrey side for the T-20 competition.

10. Impressive T-20 debut:

He made his T-20 debut against Essex and put up a captivating performance as an all-rounder. Zafar smashed 30 runs off just 18 deliveries while with the ball he gave away only 24 runs in his full quota of 4 overs. He deservingly won the Man-of-the-Match award for his dazzling all-round performance.

11. Excellent all-round performance:

In 2014, after the exit of Graeme Smith from the Surrey side, it found a solid opening combination in Zafar Ansari and Rory Burns. Ansari ended the season with 913 Championship runs while with the ball he took 24 wickets in Division Two. In T-20 cricket, he performed exceedingly well and won his side few close matches with his rock-solid temperament.

12. England Performance squad:

Ansari’s consistent performances earned him a call-up in the England’s National performance squad which went to Sri Lanka for a batting and spin camp in winters of 2014.

13. Championship 2015:

This year, the left-arm spinner Ansari has taken 44 Championship wickets for Surrey while with the bat he has accumulated in excess of 700 runs. His exemplary knock of 99 runs against the Lancashire attack which included England’s most successful bowler ever James Anderson, won him many accolades.