When 58-year old Bastaki Mahmood grasped the ball in the air to help his son Fawad Bastaki register his name in the wicket tally after Tamim played a square cut, it became a precious picture for their family album. A banker by profession, Mahmood maintained his passion for nearly five decades ever since he was introduced to the game at the age of 10 when he grew up in India’s Mumbai.
Kuwait captain Bastaki instilled his passion to his son Fahad Bastaki who deputized his father in the Asian Games, making themselves perhaps the first father and son to be captain and vice-captain of a side in an international competition.
The credit finance head of Ahlia BKMEA Bank in Kuwait, Mahmood, hopes his legacy will continue for years to come through his son, who is just 23 and a jack-of-all-trades in the Kuwait team.
Originally a wicketkeeper-batsman, Fahad Bastaki, claimed three wickets on Wednesday to lift the morale of Kuwait team, who left the field elated despite a 203-run drubbing against Bangladesh.
‘Definitely the legacy should continue,’ said a proud father Mahmood after Kuwait were folded for just 21 runs against the defending champions at the Yeonhi Cricket Stadium in Incheon.
‘I want to see cricket flourish in our country and I am working towards that goal,’ grinned Mahmood, who learned the trade in India where he graduated from a university in Mumbai.
Unlike his father, son Fahad grew up in Kuwait but he at least had some cricket injected to his blood by his father.
‘Ever since I was born, I was watching cricket,’ said Fahad. ‘I was a tennis player but when I grew up, I started playing with the Kuwait people. I have a little brother who also play cricket, albeit with a tape tennis ball.’
Fahad cherished every moment of the day after playing with Bangladesh.
I shall remember this memory all my life,’ said Fahad. ‘Taking the first wicket of Tamim Iqbal where I bowled and my father took the catch is really that special,’ he said.
‘I’ve watched these players only on TV. This is the first time I am seeing them and talking their wicket was a dream come true.’
-With New Age input
