MCG dream now reality for UAE batsman

Feb 10, 2015 - 8:18 AM Khurram Khan used to gaze at the MCG with a sense of yearning on work trips.

Now he will confront some of the best players in the world at cricket's colosseum.

Khan is part of the United Arab Emirates squad that will tackle Australia in Wednesday's warm-up match in Melbourne.

The 43-year-old is no stranger to the city, having worked as a purser for Emirates Airlines while the UAE charted their return to cricket's most meaningful tournament.

"I used to come to Melbourne quite a lot and stay across the road," Khan said, prior to the side's training session at the MCG.

"I never walked into the stadium, because I always wanted to play there.

"I always thought - if I'm going into the stadium it should be to play."

Khan, the oldest player at the World Cup, will be afforded that chance on Wednesday.

The batsman may be an anonymous figure to most Australians, but last year became the oldest player to score an one-day international hundred.

Coach Aaqib Javed, part of the Pakistan squad that won the 1992 World Cup in Australia, is a year younger than Khan and very much in awe of the veteran.

"I haven't seen anyone playing like Khurram in their 40s," Javed said.

"He's the best 43-year-old batsman I have ever seen ... the perfect role model for any youngster."

Khan played in Perth and Darwin during last year's acclimation tour.

The Indian Premier League's temporary shift to the UAE last year presented him with a chance to feature in practice games against Glenn Maxwell and other international players.

Khan regards Wednesday's warm-up match as the best possible way to prepare for the upcoming one-day event.

"I don't think it's going to get harder than this. You start on top and it's all downhill," he said.

"It's time to deliver ... we're playing the best in the world."

Source: AAP