Ibrahim Khaleel to lead the USA cricket team

Hyderabad man Ibrahim Khaleel’s story is no less than a fairytale. The player has been appointed as the skipper of the USA team that will take part in the Auty Cup that kicks off in Toronto on Tuesday. The moment is of utmost significance to Khaleel, who made his debut for the USA at the ICC WCL Division Three in Uganda just a few months back.

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When Khaleel decided to shift his base to the USA a few years back, there was no certainty about his career as a cricketer. The player who had a fair amount of experience in the Indian domestic circuit pushed his way into the USA side earlier this year in March. Khaleel vowed to his family and friends that he would make this opportunity count and he kept his word in style.

USA captain Steven Taylor’s decision to play first-class cricket in Jamaica has paved the way for Khaleel. The decision came as a blessing in disguise for the 34-year-old  who was once a stumper-batsman.

“It is a great moment for us. For a cricketer, it is always a big thing to lead a side and even we are excited,” Khaleel’s younger brother, Ismail Khaleel, told Sportstar.

“It all started in Hyderabad. Slowly, I made it to the state team and left my mark in the domestic tournaments. But then, I had to take the tough call of leaving the country. The scope was less there,” Khaleel said when Sportstar made the news public.

Khaleel career in India boasts of 57 Ranji Trophy matches after he started his career under the training of Arshad Ayub. Unable to earn himself a national spot despite consistent performances, Khaleel opted to join the now defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL). Khaleel was later signed by the Mumbai Indians but did not get the opportunity to prove his worth.