Seemab Khan, son of the late legendary actor Amjad Khan, had seen a few clips of West Indian all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall a few months ago, where he smashes the bowlers with ease, while his off-spinners were quite vicious too.
The world might have been astonished to see Cornwall — weighing around 140kgs and standing at 6 feet, 6 inches tall — giving nightmares to the bowlers and batsmen alike. On Saturday, Cornwall was named in the 13-man West Indies squad for the two-Test series against India.
Khan was more than happy when he heard about the Antigua-born cricketer making it to the highest level in this era of fitness-freak modern-day cricketers.
For, Cornwall reminded Khan of himself. The 38-year-old Mumbaikar was a competitive cricketer where, at 140kgs and over 6 feet tall, he fought perceptions to play and shine for Mumbai University in 2000-01.
"Yes, I have seen Cornwall, he is too good as a batsman and bowler. It's good that he has been picked in the West Indies Test team. It's nice to see that selectors have seen his skills beyond obesity," Khan told DNA.
His career as a leg-spinning all-rounder could not go beyond the top division — club and office cricket — despite being talented and showing his skills on the ground, his obesity notwithstanding.
"People make perceptions if you are fat. That you cannot play well with that weight even if they haven't seen how good you play. I have been a victim of that. I weighed 140kgs and took wickets for Mumbai University, but I was not picked in the Vizzy Trophy just because I was fat," Khan said.
Khan was a fighting cricketer in his college days, turning out for Rizvi College in Inter-Collegiate tournaments and then going on to represent Mumbai University in 2000-01 where he took 14 wickets in four games.
"All I feel is that people don't count your performances if you are overweight, whatever field you are in. Fitness is also important, but you cannot rule out the skills," he added.
Khan said that even when he made his comeback to cricket after a three-year hiatus in 2015 while turning out in Mumbai Cricket Association's highly-competitive tournament played in monsoon, the Kanga League, he was not given a longer run. This, despite helping his team climb to Divison A from B by being the highest wicket-taker.
"It was frustrating when people talk about your weight than your performances. But I resigned to my fate. I chose cricket as a career, tried hard, but could not succeed," he said.
Khan wishes Cornwall all the luck for his career. But he has some advice for the West Indies Cricket Board selectors.
"I hope he does well. I wish the selectors and captain communicate with Cornwall. Weight should not be the reason if he is dropped in the next series. He should be given time because he has worked hard and performed to be where he is today," Khan said..
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 "Rahkeem Cornwall, Seemab Khan")
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