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“When a sportsman is in the field, it is like a rising sun. When they are out of the field, it is the sunset.”
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JZ5GQ5ARWHGYNC5QFVKCIRB54U.jpg?smart=true&auth=4de74df8e270c413f01007ab073ba211aec0c04ec66df6bcce5f78b6c0ecc7f3&width=400&height=225)
Self-pity is entirely absent in this warmest of family homes. “Why would we be unhappy?” Mohammad Ishaq says. “There is no reason, my dear." Emily Broad for The National
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Mohammed Ishaq, a member of the UAE squad that played in the 1996 Cricket World Cup, watches a match at the ongoing 2019 Cricket World Cup from his bed in his front room of his flat in Abu Dhabi. All other photos by Pawan Singh / The National
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It is almost exactly 10 years now since Mohammed Ishaq was involved in a car crash, while in Saudi Arabia for Hajj, which rendered him with “T12 complete paraplegia” – leaving him permanently disabled.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2RLLRHBTQKUDGXJQ3E4VLTGZFA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3080f6a84e9907c426e880f7db76ff229cefcaa7dcc6a0611d19220fbf4001e0&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Ishaq shows some old newspaper clippings from his playing career. “From the beginning, I was commanding. One time I played five matches in a week, and made five hundreds, in Pakistan domestic cricket."
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SYV2K2ZEQIEABVM7ELVWBZ5IE4.jpg?smart=true&auth=7a863665640a99ca4c427ecb6eb138258718d441e4a42c61708ab68377fe8203&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Ishaq shows some old newspaper clippings from his playing career. Ishaq represented the UAE at the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UPRMN7D5E2SZCOJ3FZNNSSX3HY.jpg?smart=true&auth=66856890b987d55cdf63c4b4b69042cb444c4c7dbb3460ddec5f7eb0d094cac9&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Ishaq, 56, has been confined to this room for the past four months. His doctor advised that he no longer use his wheelchair, as they attempt to heal the seeping wound of a pressure sore near his hip.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C56GQBQOO6Q6I7MQLBSLQCPAEI.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a1b81c624013349b888334046df8549fada29661204f6754f8c130aa8907955&width=400&height=225)
An old photo of the 1996 UAE Cricket World Cup team and Mohammed Ishaq, third from left.
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Despite his own predicament, which includes annual trips to the UK for treatment, Mohammed Ishaq says he does his best to help out his former teammate. “Ishaq isn’t just my friend, he is my brother,” Saleem Raza says. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VTA7IHRICTTR3YWNMARG2QLRBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d630e0730544de2b90ce15de2e44754883e0953074b7d157e4ac6784192683f0&width=400&height=225)
A plaque from a benefit match held in Mohammed Ishaq's honour in Abu Dhabi.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7QKLUBLKWJZJTTGL5ULVU5B63A.jpg?smart=true&auth=c7d50ecb72d91577a644829dfc56ef8b47e57fe226d930107533fe6210a0f033&width=400&height=225)
An old newspaper clipping of Mohammed Ishaq, who represented the UAE at the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R2GQO4EZXNEA2VAAESAWI6RYA4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a8f9770b8a02ad6e007e05f300a1b6b38b46204e74cf9d485853a20a13a437d7&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Ishaq reminiscesabout his playing career during a visit to his home in Abu Dhabi.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MYNW5K67O52V4AOOGFBVBDZHQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f718ed3463d95371787180c717300e26a8f898d52f0792c4a28e7587b98fd98d&width=400&height=225)
“Shot, yaar!” Mohammed Ishaq is loving watching the ongoing 2019 Cricket World Cup. His favourite player is England captain Eoin Morgan: “He uses the long handle, a bit like I used to.”
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XVAG7QIUQXJ2ATDZS4RTTGCYOQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=275eac419620735117b564b18c7cae416f8d200ea922a3f70bed9ad85a2379a1&width=400&height=225)
“When you have life, you have to enjoy it. This is not in our control. He who has made us knows very well. Alhamdulillah, I am a good believer. That belief carries me," Mohammed Ishaq says.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I2HMPGB4ZDKDUXO4R2FKBFV5UU.jpg?smart=true&auth=bb7a75e5aaa93d7c1f047ea3ac014a759537affcd55f7c6d6c4d1c25a64d5aa7&width=400&height=225)
An old newspaper clipping of Mohammed Ishaq, right, during his playing days.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UKEHLWTF4UOZ2IW354T5KWXTO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fdbd1e216bded0dcf970ba86e87a4d58c34d2616f50cf968c56ffcca9ecb2858&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Ishaq, 56, a Pakistani native, has lived in the UAE since 1987 when he landed a job at a bank in Abu Dhabi.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CBHUJMIXKOCB3NQ2QLG32GQFR4.jpg?smart=true&auth=337964a38fa7e5c80c4792fc81df1f90c74baa88f2352b2891fe3d8dbd3e3301&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Ishaq shows some old newspaper clippings from his playing career.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RWTPZXETJ2Z47YCRWDJ7ONUPUE.jpg?smart=true&auth=470e0cdae293d96b9ae1851b3469ad1aa582c9ce63b14b0d9bb70076928fa7e1&width=400&height=225)
“As a human being, I am sometimes worried about things, like my visa,” says Mohammed Ishaq. His UAE visa expires in November 2019.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GHHH7N5S7EVRV3FD574LH2OIAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=da51186c78878d7cd2da82ed1b6ae36f7e24544c6c85ef3ed920c1fe7cc30792&width=400&height=225)
Portraits of the retired cricketer, Mohammad Ishaq, in his home.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WYDJRFESWZIFK4ZS5DU26BFKQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=f1d0570029cb995b7541955a3b0f9bddf294c5de89f98c17f7ee0fc43ab52497&width=400&height=225)
“When a sportsman is in the field, it is like a rising sun. When they are out of the field, it is the sunset.”
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JZ5GQ5ARWHGYNC5QFVKCIRB54U.jpg?smart=true&auth=4de74df8e270c413f01007ab073ba211aec0c04ec66df6bcce5f78b6c0ecc7f3&width=400&height=225)
Self-pity is entirely absent in this warmest of family homes. “Why would we be unhappy?” Mohammad Ishaq says. “There is no reason, my dear." Emily Broad for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TK2VN4SVMJI4Z7QGHL72RKNBJ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=86ba0e98080ad40cd4d329d188024792c69d831cbb53f702a36615987bddbdc9&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Ishaq, a member of the UAE squad that played in the 1996 Cricket World Cup, watches a match at the ongoing 2019 Cricket World Cup from his bed in his front room of his flat in Abu Dhabi. All other photos by Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LFEQKFAKYIBQ267B2QYBNRJL4U.jpg?smart=true&auth=6797ba98017b98645c7e4c57bc741b4800b514422832cb718e3a045ad9275b4d&width=400&height=225)
It is almost exactly 10 years now since Mohammed Ishaq was involved in a car crash, while in Saudi Arabia for Hajj, which rendered him with “T12 complete paraplegia” – leaving him permanently disabled.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2RLLRHBTQKUDGXJQ3E4VLTGZFA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3080f6a84e9907c426e880f7db76ff229cefcaa7dcc6a0611d19220fbf4001e0&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Ishaq shows some old newspaper clippings from his playing career. “From the beginning, I was commanding. One time I played five matches in a week, and made five hundreds, in Pakistan domestic cricket."
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SYV2K2ZEQIEABVM7ELVWBZ5IE4.jpg?smart=true&auth=7a863665640a99ca4c427ecb6eb138258718d441e4a42c61708ab68377fe8203&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Ishaq shows some old newspaper clippings from his playing career. Ishaq represented the UAE at the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UPRMN7D5E2SZCOJ3FZNNSSX3HY.jpg?smart=true&auth=66856890b987d55cdf63c4b4b69042cb444c4c7dbb3460ddec5f7eb0d094cac9&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Ishaq, 56, has been confined to this room for the past four months. His doctor advised that he no longer use his wheelchair, as they attempt to heal the seeping wound of a pressure sore near his hip.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C56GQBQOO6Q6I7MQLBSLQCPAEI.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a1b81c624013349b888334046df8549fada29661204f6754f8c130aa8907955&width=400&height=225)
An old photo of the 1996 UAE Cricket World Cup team and Mohammed Ishaq, third from left.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L3IFMENUOIWPF4HKBNZ6FO3TYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=08d80fa7b201740eba1f5cba919e2ba889fda82b0c8ab5b25d866c898dbda187&width=400&height=225)
Despite his own predicament, which includes annual trips to the UK for treatment, Mohammed Ishaq says he does his best to help out his former teammate. “Ishaq isn’t just my friend, he is my brother,” Saleem Raza says. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VTA7IHRICTTR3YWNMARG2QLRBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d630e0730544de2b90ce15de2e44754883e0953074b7d157e4ac6784192683f0&width=400&height=225)
A plaque from a benefit match held in Mohammed Ishaq's honour in Abu Dhabi.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7QKLUBLKWJZJTTGL5ULVU5B63A.jpg?smart=true&auth=c7d50ecb72d91577a644829dfc56ef8b47e57fe226d930107533fe6210a0f033&width=400&height=225)
An old newspaper clipping of Mohammed Ishaq, who represented the UAE at the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R2GQO4EZXNEA2VAAESAWI6RYA4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a8f9770b8a02ad6e007e05f300a1b6b38b46204e74cf9d485853a20a13a437d7&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Ishaq reminiscesabout his playing career during a visit to his home in Abu Dhabi.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MYNW5K67O52V4AOOGFBVBDZHQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f718ed3463d95371787180c717300e26a8f898d52f0792c4a28e7587b98fd98d&width=400&height=225)
“Shot, yaar!” Mohammed Ishaq is loving watching the ongoing 2019 Cricket World Cup. His favourite player is England captain Eoin Morgan: “He uses the long handle, a bit like I used to.”
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XVAG7QIUQXJ2ATDZS4RTTGCYOQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=275eac419620735117b564b18c7cae416f8d200ea922a3f70bed9ad85a2379a1&width=400&height=225)
“When you have life, you have to enjoy it. This is not in our control. He who has made us knows very well. Alhamdulillah, I am a good believer. That belief carries me," Mohammed Ishaq says.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I2HMPGB4ZDKDUXO4R2FKBFV5UU.jpg?smart=true&auth=bb7a75e5aaa93d7c1f047ea3ac014a759537affcd55f7c6d6c4d1c25a64d5aa7&width=400&height=225)
An old newspaper clipping of Mohammed Ishaq, right, during his playing days.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UKEHLWTF4UOZ2IW354T5KWXTO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fdbd1e216bded0dcf970ba86e87a4d58c34d2616f50cf968c56ffcca9ecb2858&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Ishaq, 56, a Pakistani native, has lived in the UAE since 1987 when he landed a job at a bank in Abu Dhabi.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CBHUJMIXKOCB3NQ2QLG32GQFR4.jpg?smart=true&auth=337964a38fa7e5c80c4792fc81df1f90c74baa88f2352b2891fe3d8dbd3e3301&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Ishaq shows some old newspaper clippings from his playing career.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RWTPZXETJ2Z47YCRWDJ7ONUPUE.jpg?smart=true&auth=470e0cdae293d96b9ae1851b3469ad1aa582c9ce63b14b0d9bb70076928fa7e1&width=400&height=225)
“As a human being, I am sometimes worried about things, like my visa,” says Mohammed Ishaq. His UAE visa expires in November 2019.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GHHH7N5S7EVRV3FD574LH2OIAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=da51186c78878d7cd2da82ed1b6ae36f7e24544c6c85ef3ed920c1fe7cc30792&width=400&height=225)
Portraits of the retired cricketer, Mohammad Ishaq, in his home.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WYDJRFESWZIFK4ZS5DU26BFKQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=f1d0570029cb995b7541955a3b0f9bddf294c5de89f98c17f7ee0fc43ab52497&width=400&height=225)
“When a sportsman is in the field, it is like a rising sun. When they are out of the field, it is the sunset.”
Disabled former UAE cricketer Mohammed Ishaq has no time for self-pity: 'You need to be always positive'
It is almost exactly 10 years since Ishaq, a member of the UAE squad who played at the 1996 Cricket World Cup, was in a car crash that left him paraplegic
![Paul Radley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F4bea718a-3833-459d-b22e-394141107aed.png?smart=true&auth=9b0d25df28459c73830f10d00934933c01a577dee63bf7a45b39f23e0bdb9f75&width=70&height=70)
Paul Radley
23 June, 2019
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