Sohaib Khan’s Heroics: Jamia’s soil and Dhoni’s mantra backfired. How did Sohaib Khan snatch victory from the jaws of Canada in Kotla?

News India Live, Digital Desk: On the cricket field, such stories are often born which cross the boundaries. At one time, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) team was on the verge of defeat against Canada in the match played at Kotla (Arun Jaitley Stadium), Delhi. Then Sohaib Khan, who belonged to Jamia Millia Islamia and learned cricket in the streets of Delhi, played an innings which not only won the match but also reminded him of the old gurumantra of MS Dhoni which he had given to Sohaib years ago. Journey from Jamia to Dubai: The power of roots Kotla ground was not an unknown place for Sohaib Khan. Sohaib, who grew up in Delhi, has honed his cricketing skills with the Jamia Millia Islamia team. Home Advantage: Sohaib said that his old understanding of Delhi’s pitch and conditions helped him read the Canadian bowlers. Emotional Connect: On the same ground where he had once watched the match sitting in the stands, today becoming a ‘troubleshooter’ for his team was no less than a dream for him. Those words of Dhoni changed After the match, Sohaib revealed that when he was under pressure, he remembered an advice from former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. “Dhoni bhai had once told me to take the match till the end, put pressure on the bowler, not on myself. That’s what was running in my mind.” Had scored a challenging score while batting. After UAE’s top order faltered: Sohaib’s partnership: Along with the lower order batsmen, Sohaib made small but important partnerships. Avatar of the finisher: In the last 3 overs when the run rate was beyond 10, Sohaib changed gears and finished the match in Dhoni’s style.