Classy Khan in pursuit of record
Reporter: KEVIN RICHARDSON
Date published: 03 September 2009
Bowlers toil as red-hot Zeeshan racks up the runs
UPPERMILL batsman Zeeshan Khan is running riot in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League.
The classy Pakistani is closing in on a batting record after a stunning second half of the season.
Khan has so far accumulated 1,175 runs at an average of 98.0. His last four scores in league matches read 113 (v Hollinwood), 116 (v Bamford Fieldhouse), 102 (v Glodwick) and 76 (v Saddleworth) — all unbeaten which adds up to an astonishing 407 not out!
Dave Oldfield, of Austerlands, was the last bowler to claim Khan’s wicket in a league match — way back on July 18!
His only blemish came in the Tanner Cup final against Bamford on August 16 when he was bowled for 39.
Khan is now fixing his sights on beating Grant Jones’ amateur batting record of 1,367 runs set 11 years ago.
He is 193 runs shy of the mark but, with four matches to go, he has every chance of overhauling the Delph captain’s total.
Uppermill skipper Matt Taylor said: “Zeeshan has been brilliant and I couldn’t have asked for anything more of him.
“It’s frightening how he plays sometimes and seems to be hitting sixes at will.
“He’s very knowledgeable about the game, he’s decent in the field and generally a really good guy.”
It was only by chance that Khan, who had a spell in the Bolton League, actually signed for Uppermill at the beginning of season 2008.
The overseas amateur had nets at Oldham and Heyside, but was still looking for a club when a call came from Leafields.
Taylor said: “We were going to sign Gourav Sharma, but for one reason or another the move fell through.
“We didn’t have anybody in mind, but a mate of mine at Oldham told me about Zeeshan. He said this bloke was unreal, but they were already fixed up with an overseas amateur.
“He came down to see us and after about two or three balls he had done enough to convince us to sign him.”
Khan and Uppermill haven’t looked back since. He racked up 1,117 runs in his first year — his top knock was 141 — to win the amateur batting averages, and is nailed on to repeat the feat.
While he has been a breath of fresh for Uppermill, opposition bowlers have come to see him as annoying draft.
Khan’s highest score this season of 116 helped wreck Bamford’s unbeaten record and enhance his own side’s chances of finishing runners-up in the league.
And tonight, weather permitting, he was in action for Uppermill as they went head to head with Heyside in the final of the rearranged Twenty20 Cup final at Austerlands.
