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Rediff.com  » Cricket » IPL star Sarfaraz's younger brother to hone skills in England

IPL star Sarfaraz's younger brother to hone skills in England

By Harish Kotian
July 27, 2015 19:30 IST
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Shyam Bhatia (centre) with Sarfaraz Khan (left) and his brother Musheer.

Following in the footsteps of elder brother Sarfaraz Khan, who was a big hit during the eighth edition of the Indian Premier League earlier this year, Mumbai youngster Musheer will also have the opportunity to hone his skills in England next month.

The 11-year-old spinner, who is already being spoken of highly in Mumbai's cricketing circles, will be sponsored by Dubai-based cricket enthusiast Shyam Bhatia.

Sarfaraz was sponsored by Bhatia for a 20-day stint in Hull in 2009, which proved vital in his development. He has since gone on to represent India in the Under-19 World Cup and also made a name for himself with his attacking batting for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 8.

T A Sekhar, who was former head of the MRF Pace Foundation, will be with Musheer during his three-week trip to Surrey, in the South East of England.

“I am passionate about cricket and promoting young talent is the most satisfying way to go about it. Sarfaraz went on to represent India in age-group cricket and I am hopeful young Musheer will follow the route taken by his brother.

"Playing in England is difficult at any level, for youngsters from Dubai and India playing together as a team against local sides, the experience can be useful later," Bhatia said.

A few youngsters from Dubai will also part of the group. The focus is on getting used to English wickets, weather and conditions at a young age.

It will be Musheer's first trip to England and his father, Naushad, is hoping he can develop his game like his elder brother.

"Musheer likes to open the batting, so getting to know first-hand the adjustment needed on English wickets and facing swing will be handy for a young player like him.

"He also wants to be a spinner and the English conditions don’t help spinners so he will have to learn to adapt there," he said.

"Sarfaraz came back richer after the experience. I remember leading Indian Test players talk about the value of a season in county cricket. Since I don’t have the money to send my children abroad, I hope Sarfaraz will use the experience someday in future," he added.

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Harish Kotian / Rediff.com

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