Біріккен Араб Әмірліктерінің бұрынғы крикетшісі Сұлтан Мұхаммед Заравани

Former Emirati cricketer

Sultan Mohammed Zarawani (سلطان محمد زاروني; born 24 January 1961) is a former Emirati cricketer. He played seven one day internationals (ODIs). After the 1996 Cricket World Cup, he was banned for life when he criticised the officials of the Emirates Cricket Board. Zarawani had learnt the basics of the sport while studying at his school in Pakistan.

In the early 1990s, when the Emirates Cricket Board adopted a policy of recruiting expatriate cricketers from Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka for the national side, Zarawani, the sole native Emirati in the team, was appointed as captain. Under his leadership, the UAE won the 1994 ICC Trophy in Kenya which earned them qualification for the 1996 Cricket World Cup. He also captained the UAE in their first ever One Day International match which was played against India. Although his team was defeated, Zarawani did manage to capture one wicket – that of Sachin Tendulkar. He is best known for facing South African fast bowler Allan Donald wearing a sunhat rather than a helmet at the 1996 Cricket World Cup and being hit by a fierce bouncer. Sultan had come to bat when UAE was reeling at 68/6 in a huge run chase of 322. Donald recorded in his autobiography that he feared initially that he had killed him. Despite the blow, Zarawani continued to refuse the offer of a helmet but only lasted six more balls before he was dismissed and taken straight to hospital. Prior to playing in his first World Cup tournament in 1996, he had received three operations on his knees and also underwent regular cortisone injections in order to enable him to play through the pain. Under his leadership, UAE finished the tournament on a high note by securing a victory over fellow qualifier Netherlands and it also eventually marked the last international appearance for Zarawani in international cricket.