Pakistani off-spinner Arshad Khan made his debut for Pakistan in 1997-98 against West Indies, going on to feature in 9 Tests and 58 ODIs till 2006 for his country. A lot has changed in Pakistan cricket and the world in general in the last decade, and the former international can now be seen driving an Uber taxi in Sydney.
On Monday, a social media user, Ganesh Birle, shared a strange experience of a chance encounter with the former international - an incident which throws some light on the plight of low-profile retired cricketers, especially in the troubled country of Pakistan.
“He was the driver of our cab and we started chatting, he told me that he is from Pakistan and lives in Sydney. Also that he has been to Hyderabad many times when he was playing for Lahore Badshahs something in ICL. After which I asked him his full name and then I was shocked to see his face which I could partially recognise. I shook has his hand and left. (sic)”
“He was avoiding the conversation all the time, but at the same time he couldn’t help but talk about his India connection. Imagine he introduced himself as ‘I from Pakistan [sic] but I have been here in Sydney for long time now’. Also like a good Uber driver he offered us water and stuff when we sat in the car.”
Arshad had a regular run in the Pakistan team from his debut till 2001, before making a comeback in 2005. His most glorious moment came during the 2005 India tour, when he registered 4 for 33 in the first ODI at Kochi.
Former New Zealand player Ewen Chatfield is also known to drive a taxi around Wellington.
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