Indian-origin intellectually impaired cricket icon Nawaz Khan beheaded in South Africa

Nawaz Khan, seen with the ‘Intellectually Impaired Cricketer of the Year’ award in 2013, has met a tragic death

In some gory developments being reported from South Africa, a young promising South African Indian intellectually-impaired cricketer named Nawaz Khan has been found beheaded in a ritual sacrifice, and police have already arrested three people, including Nawaz’s best friend.

PTI reports say that the 23-year-old Nawaz was lured to a forest near his home by his best friend Thandowakhe Duma, 21 and a traditional healer. The two then attacked Nawaz with a bush knife and beheaded him, according to the police.

The incident was reported from the coastal town of Umzinto, 600 kms away from Johanesburg. Nawaaz went missing on October 31. His body was found in a bush near his home on Saturday.

The friend broke down under police questioning and led them to the site where they had hid the head. He confessed that a traditional healer had requested him to bring along a human head to address problems that he (the friend) was having.

Two more people were arrested after being found in possession of Khan's mobile phones, which they claimed they had purchased from his alleged killers.

Big loss for Nawaz’s family and cricket

The deceased, Nawaz Khan, had been named Cricket South Africa's awardee for the Intellectually Impaired Cricketer of the Year in 2013, an award he had received from another South African icon of Asian origin – Hashim Amla.

Nawaz played cricket professionaly at KwaZulu Natal level. He has represented his country as an all-rounder for the last three years.

His mother Zakia Khan said that Nawaz had lived for the sport of cricket.

“He was thrilled when he received his award from his idol, Hashim Amla, calling it the happiest day of his life," said the mother, adding that her son could not read or write but had excelled in the sport despite being mocked about his disability.

Albert Warnick, spokesman for the South Africa Sports Association for the Intellectually Impaired, told media that Khan had been looking forward to going overseas with his cricket team.

Winston Stubbs, former national cricket convener and team manager, said: “He was a very disciplined, committed wicketkeeper and batsman. I have known Khan since he was 13. What a big loss for his family and cricket.”