Shahbaz Ahmed’s strict father nonetheless can’t consider the Team India debutant dropped out of engineering to play cricket

When one goes to Hathin and asks for Shahbaz Ahmed’s home to any of the city people, the reply comes, “wo RCB ka cricketer na, dusra tallat bahut mast ban raha, aapko duur se hi nazar aa jaayega (That RCB cricketer no, his house’s second floor is quite amazing, you’ll notice it from a distance).”

There is nothing fancy about the home however the youngsters taking part in on the streets take inspiration from Shahbaz’s home. Because it provides them inspiration that if Shahbaz, who discovered the fundamentals of his cricket on these streets and went on to play for India, someday they’ll additionally do it.

Shabaz has given hope to the youth of Palwal, one of many extra under-developed

areas of Haryana, second most after Mewat.

Ahmed’s residence has each potential trendy amenity in it. And his father, Ahmed Jan, like several proud middle-class father, says, “Uska diya hua kuch nah hai. Mai Harayana government mey kaam karta hun, meri salary achi hai, mai ye saari facilities afford kar sakta hun (I have not taken a single penny from Shahbaz. I am an employee of the Haryana government, my salary is good, and I can afford all the facilities,” says the clerk within the sub-divisional Justice of the Peace’s workplace in Haryana’s Nuh district.

Shahbaz Ahmed’s under-construction home in Hathin, Palwal. (Express Photo by Pratyush Raj)

“Usne apne IPL ke paise se Kolkata mey car khareed li, lekin nikaal nahi pata kyunki itni traffic hai udhar (He has bought a car from his IPL money in Kolkata, but is not able to drive because of the heavy traffic in the city),” says Jan, who’s referring to the IPL public sale cash (Rs 2.4 crore) that he obtained from RCB.

After all these years, Jan remains to be miffed with the very fact his son, an ‘A’ grade scholar, randomly determined to stop his research to play cricket.

“Like any middle-class family, we do love watching cricket, in fact, I have played till college, but education has always been our priority. My father, Mohammad Ishak was a headmaster, I am a government employee, my younger brother is a teacher, and my daughter is a doctor. Even Shahbaz was a brilliant student, he got 80% in Class X, and 88% in XII. Never in my wildest dream did I ever think that he would quit studies to play cricket. Koi baap nahi chahega ki uska beta padhai chhod ke cricket khele. (No father would want his son to play cricket at the cost of education,” says Jan, who has now been given a earful by his spouse and Shahbaz’s mom Abnam.

Shahbaz Ahmed’s trophy self at his house in Palwal. (Express Photo by Pratyush Raj)

“Ye abhi tak 2015 mey hi hai. Mai bhi chahti thi BTech complete kare, achi job le, magar aapko apne bacche ki bhi toh baatein sun leni chahiye ki wo kya karnaa chahta hai. (He (Ahmed) is still living in 2015. I also wanted him to complete his engineering, get a good job, but at times, you have to listen to your kids also, what they want from life,” says Abnam with a beaming smile on her face.

Ahmed says, he’s completely satisfied that Shahbaz has accomplished his diploma through the lockdown. But now his main concern is to construct a trophy shelf within the newly-built room of Shahbaz on the second ground.

“I wanted to build a separate small room for his trophies, but his mother and sister love to show off, and they don’t want it. I have asked the contractor to make a bigger one in his room only,” he says.

Dropping out of engineering

Ahmed and Abnam can’t neglect the day after they obtained a letter from Shahbaz’s school that he had not been attending courses for months. The nervous dad and mom visited him in Gurgaon, however he was not there, as he had gone off to play cricket. They went to the school after which obtained to know that he was bunking courses.

Shahbaz Ahmed’s father, Ahmed Jan, at their residence in Palwal. (Express Photo by Pratyush Raj)

“It was the first time we came to know that he loves playing cricket. In fact, he had even attended Haryana U-19 camp for the past two years,” remembers Ahmed.

Then got here the second which shook each Ahmed and Abnam as Shahbaz informed them that he needed to maneuver to Kolkata to pursue his cricketing goals and he must drop out of school.

“He was determined to do something big. Even his college professors told him that it was a mistake because he was a good student. Shahbaz told his head of department that ‘one day you will give me my degree and also felicitate me.’ And last year it happened,” says the proud mom.

Shahbaz would transfer to Kolkata, the place he initially shared a small 12×12 room with three different cricketers.

“He didn’t know how to cook, so his job was to clean the utensils,” says Jan.

Shahbaz Ahmed’s father, Ahmed Jan, and his mom Abnam at their residence in Palwal. (Express Photo by Pratyush Raj)

Shahbaz would hate the meals, was usually labelled ‘outsider’ and even considered coming again after he was banned from taking part in cricket. However, solely after the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) carried out an investigation and gave him the go-ahead, may Shahbaz play once more. But the one factor that stored him going was his father’s phrases when he was packing his luggage earlier than going to Kolkata.

“Maine usse us din kaha kuch kar ke aana, warna mat aana waapis (Do something with your life, otherwise don’t come back),” recollects Jan.

Shahbaz began taking part in within the second division, and someday he was launched to Partha Pratim Chowdhury by Pramod Chandila (Former Bengal and present Haryana cricketer), who obtained Shahbaz to Kolkata. Chowdhury, impressed by Shahbaz’s abilities, helped him to get into Tapan Memorial Club, and really quickly, he turned one in all his relations.

“Partha sir allah ke bheje hue farishte hai (Partha sir is an angel sent by the almighty). Aaj ke waqt mey kaun kisi anjaan ko apne ghar mey rakhta hai, unhone Shahbaz ko apne bete ki tarah rakha, unhe jitni dua du wo kam hai (Nowadays, who gives roof to a complete stranger. He (Partha) took care of Shahbaz like his own son; even my endless prayers won’t be enough,” says an emotional Abnam.

Shahbaz’s performances caught the attention of the then Bengal skipper Manoj Tiwary. There have been reservations about Shahbaz as a result of he was not initially from Bengal, however Tiwary was adamant and at last had his method.

Shahbaz Ahmed along with his dad and mom. (Special association)

If Tiwary took Shahbaz beneath his wings, it was Bengal coach Arun Lal who made him a bulwark. Shahbaz, who Lal calls ‘Jaanbaaz (daredevil)’ turned Bengal’s disaster man. He was instrumental in Bengal reaching finals of the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy. The all-rounder scored 509 runs with the bat and bagged 35 wickets along with his left-arm spin. In the 2021-22 season, he scored 582 runs and bagged 9 wickets in 5 matches. In his three years stint on the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Shahbaz turned one of many pillars of the franchise and has proven prowess as an all-rounder.

“He got a father figure in Partha bhai, an elder brother in Manoj Tiwary, and a mentor in Arun Lal. I am yet to meet any of them, but we are planning to visit Kolkata later this year to show our gratitude to them. It is because of them, Shahbaz has reached this level. I will cook biryani for all of them,” says Abnam.