adminBrighton Zhawi
On Roy Kaia’s cricket career summary; you will find one ODI cap to his name, with virtually no other statistic from that game to support it.
It could be summed up to a clerical error, or that fact that he never bowled, fielded or batted.
The 23-year-old is a victim of those rare cases in which a cricket match is abandoned due to a dust storm.
This unusual thing occurred in Lahore during the third and final ODI between Zimbabwe and Pakistan in 2015, truncating not only the match which was 59 overs old, but also freezing a career that had just started.
It was a historic tour; Pakistan’s first home series against a test-playing nation since 2009 when a Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by gunmen.
Historic also in that it was to be the launching pad for Kaia who was making his international debut.
After fielding for 50 overs as the hosts amassed 296/9, Zimbabwe’s reply was into its ninth over with openers Vusi Sibanda and Chamu Chibhabha batting when first there was floodlight fault before the dust storm arrived. Play never resumed and Kaia’s career was halted.
But now, almost fours later, Kaia has a chance to redeem himself; this after the 23-year-old was included in Zimbabwe’s squad to face UAE next month.
“I had never experienced a dust storm, I didn’t really know what was going on,” said Kaia.
“I was heartbroken because I never got another chance to play after that series, but all this helped me understand that God’s time is the best.”
Kaia has starred again in the domestic season finishing as the second leading run-scorer in the Pro 50 Championship averaging 61.80 in six matches while with the ball he was the third best with eight wickets in six matches.
“Hopefully we won’t experience another dust storm here in Zimbabwe,” he says, laughing.
“I am not one to look too far ahead; but It feels great to be back in national colours, and get rewarded for all the hard work.
“Obviously, my fate is in the hands of the selectors and coaches from here, for as a player you can do so much,” he said. A club cricket stint in the UK last year and becoming a dad, are some of the things the Mountaineers’ stalwart believes helped make him a better player and man.
“My two-year-old son, Kendrick, is already showing interest in the game and that’s lovely to see.
“Being a father pushes you to be responsible.
“And as much as playing club cricket in the UK helped my game as I faced some overseas pros like Rishi Dhawan, Enamul Haque and Shingi Masakadza in our league; I should also mention my fiancée Mitchell Ngarandi, who is my number one supporter.
“She pushes me to be better.”
Team mates and friends call Kaia ‘Fally Ipupa’’. Why?
“I love rhumba music and almost joined a group called Best of all Musica when I was a teenager.
“My father wouldn’t have any of that but my love for rhumba is still there.
“I like Fally Ipupa’s music, hence the nickname,” he said.
Online Reporter