We often hear that you have to choose: your career or your passion. But if you ever need proof that you can have both, look no further than CP Rizwan.
Rizwan’s story doesn't start in a high-performance academy; it starts in the family backyards of Tellicherry, Kerala. Despite being a standout talent for Kerala’s junior sides, the lack of a steady income in cricket forced a difficult choice. In 2014, armed with an engineering degree, Rizwan moved to the UAE to work as an electrical engineer.
For the next four years, his life was a relentless cycle. From 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, he was on construction sites and in offices in Sharjah and Dubai. But when the sun went down, the "Engineer" became the "Opener." He spent his nights under the floodlights of local grounds, honing a technique that would eventually take down international bowling attacks.
The breakthrough came in 2021 when he smashed a match-winning century against Ireland—the first international ton by a Malayali. But his crowning achievement was leading the UAE as captain during the 2022 T20 World Cup. Under his leadership, the UAE secured their first-ever World Cup win, defeating Namibia in a thriller.
What makes Rizwan a hero at GlobalCricket.org isn't just the 1,200+ international runs; it’s the fact that he did it while maintaining his professional career. Even today, as he focuses on his role with Emirates Airlines, he remains a blueprint for every "weekend warrior." He proved that a 9-to-6 job isn't a cage—it’s just the foundation that can help you reach the stars.
CP Rizwan: By the Numbers
- The "Double Life": Balanced a full-time Engineering role with a 60-match international career.
- Historic Milestone: The first Kerala-born player to score an ODI century (109 vs. Ireland).
- The Leader: Captained UAE to their maiden T20 World Cup victory in 2022.
The journey from Engineer to International Captain
This video is highly relevant as it features CP Rizwan himself discussing the specific challenges of maintaining a work-cricket balance while pursuing his engineering career in the UAE.