Jehan Mubarak - Sri Lanka - Batting Allrounder

Jehan Mubarak is a solid left-handed batsman, who can chip in with some miserly offies. Intriguingly, Mubarak's first foray into sports was through swimming. He represented Sri Lanka at the junior level in addition to featuring in the Sri Lankan water polo team in 2002. However, the gentleman's game turned out to be his true love, spurring him on to become a professional cricketer.

He was initially discovered at a cricket camp by former Sri Lankan cricketers and World Cup winners, Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga. Some prolific run-scoring at the domestic arena did no go unnoticed as he was given his Test debut versus Bangladesh in July 2002. Notably, he possesses a killer cover-drive and is on cruise control against spin. He registered decent little scores of 24 and 31 in his first Test appearance but it was his opening partner and good friend, Michael Vandort, who ruled the roost in that game, following up his fifty in the first innings with a ton in the second.

Mubarak debuted in ODIs in the same year before a slot in the World Cup squad came calling. Deserted by form, Mubarak was later cast into the wilderness.

He was thrust into T20Is in 2007 following the twin departures of Maravan Attapattu and Russel Arnold. He shone in the shortest format of the game, albeit in patches before being banished to the domestic setup. Failing to cement a permanent position in the Sri Lankan cricket team continues to remain a big regret.

Lesser known facts about Mubarak:
1. Ginger Beer (The Sri Lankan brand) is his favourite drink
2. Lord of the Rings by J.R.R.Tolkien is his favourite book
3. Mubarak is an American-born Sri Lankan
4. His father, Dr.A.M.Mubarak is a renowned scientist.

By Deivarayan Muthu