The International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40’s World Cup got underway in Cape Town on Monday February 19 and will culminate in the final being played on Friday March 1. The spin trio of Abdul-Aziz Temoor, Ridiwaan Williams and Yasser Ditta are ready to make an impact. FEROZ SHAIK reports:
Ecstatic to be playing for their country and being part of the inaugural IMC Over-40’s World Cup taking place at various venues around Cape-Town, the spin bowling trio of Temoor, Williams and Ditta will play a huge role for the Proteas veterans.
After receiving their blazers on Friday February 16, the trio spoke to Muslim Views on their inclusion in the Proteas squad.
A leg spinner, 41-year-old Temoor is currently a player/coach for Hottentots-Holland Cricket Club (CC) who play in the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) 1A league and also turns out for Helderberg Vikings CC in the veterans’ league in Boland.
‘It’s been a childhood dream to play for South Africa. While I played for the Cape Cobras and Western Province from 2007 to 2010, I never had the opportunity to play at a level higher than that. My love for cricket kept me going and, Alhamdulillah, the vets league has now given me the opportunity to play for South Africa,’ said Temoor.
Williams is a left arm spinner, and like Temoor, he is also currently a player/coach. He plays for Carbonado Energy Mitchells Plain CC in the 1D Division and Ottoman CC in the veterans’ league. The 46-year-old says it is an honour to represent his country.
‘We are an inspiration for the guys that stopped playing cricket. They can now come out of retirement and enjoy the game again knowing that they can get a chance of representing their province and country’ added Williams.
Completing the spin department is 41-year-old Ditta. An off spinner from Lenasia, Ditta plays in the premier league for Lenasia CC and represents the Lions. His love for the game started in 1992 when he watched Pakistan lift the ICC Cricket World Cup.
‘For me cricket has been a passion. My love for the game started in 1992 after watching Pakistan win the World Cup. Playing in the vets league came as a surprise for me. I did not know about vets cricket until my coach put my name in the hat for the trials. Although I did not make it to the trials, my club form got me into the Lions team. For me, collecting my blazer and playing for South Africa is a huge honour and one of the happiest days of my cricketing career.’
South Africa are in pool B with India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, UAE and Wales while group A comprises of Australia, Canada, England, Namibia, USA and Zimbabwe.
Muslim Views wishes Temoor, Williams and Ditta all the best for the Masters Over-40’s World Cup.
