Their unbeaten stand for Young Talents Cricket Academy (YTCA) ensured an emphatic 243-run victory over Youth Cricket Academy (YCA). Khan was at his aggressive best with 183 not out, while Afzal cracked an unbeaten 127.

Shehzad Altaf, head coach of the YTCA team, told Gulf News: “These two boys are among my very talented cricketers and it was splendid to find them in full flow. All that I advised them was not to throw away their wicket and bat the full 25 overs.”

Khan’s 183 came off just 78 balls with 23 boundaries, while Afzal’s 127 came off 67 balls, with 64 coming from boundary hits.

“Khan had won the player of the tournament award in the Sharjah Cricket Council’s inter-school tournament and Afzal was Maxtalent’s inter-school tournament man of the tournament winner. Both are always eager to play their strokes and they used this opportunity very well,” added Altaf, who has overseen their progress from a very young age.