The remarkable feat of getting into the 1000-run club in a schools’ cricket season is considered to be almost the equivalent to scoring 5000 runs in the international arena. Niksy Ahamed, hailing from the Eastern province, was the second batsman to achieve this feat in the 2013/2014 season.
Though he represented Zahira College Colombo, he was the first cricketer originally from the Eastern province to reach the milestone.
First XI School career
Being a solid all-rounder, Niksy opened the batting for Zahira College, while also taking the new ball on several occasions. He was in prime form with the bat during the 2013/2014 season, as he racked up 1040 runs at an average of 40.00 and a strike rate of 110. In the 28 innings he played, Niksy managed to score 3 centuries and went past 50 on five occasions. The 35 sixes and 139 boundaries he smashed throughout the season are a clear indication of his aggressive batting style and the dominance he had over the bowlers. He also contributed with the ball, grabbing 27 wickets.
In the 2012/2013 season, Niksy made 737 runs at an average of 36.85 with one century and 5 fifties under his belt including 40 sixes and 88 boundaries. He also picked up 26 wickets in his maiden season.
His exceptional performances include 109* against St. Joseph Vaz College, Kandana, 125* against Revatha College and 115 against Royal College, Panadura. He fell 4 short of a deserving hundred in the match against Lumbini College.
Niksy’s other vital contributions include 88 against Maris Stella College, 75 against S. Thomas’ College, 64 against Moratuwa Vidyala and 61 against President’s College.
Apart from representing his school, Niksy has also played a 3-day first class game and a List-A one-day game.
Early Life
Niksy Ahamed was born and raised in Nindavur, Ampara and he started his cricketing career at his first school, Al-Ashraq National School, before moving to Zahira College, Colombo. Niksy played for his school in the U-15 level and was selected to represent the Ampara district team after some notable performances.
Niksy stroked his way to a magnificent 144 in the limited overs encounter against Badulla district and was later selected to represent the Uva Provincial team. He continued his dream form and struck a quick-fire 107 against Central Province in a match held at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium. He was consistent throughout the tournament and made scores of 90 (vs North Central province), 78 (vs Eastern province) and 58 (vs Western province). He showcased his ability to smash the bowlers all around the park, as the tally read 47 sixes to his name at the end of the tournament.
Al-Ashraq National School had no proper training facilities and cricket was introduced only a few years back by the long standing PE master, Mr. Ibrahim. Zahira College was willing to welcome Niksy to be a part of their school team, and he accepted the offer to play in the top tier of the local schools’ cricket tournament.
“We didn’t have the best facilities in Al-Ashraq but I worked hard to come to this standard. I am grateful to Mr. Ibrahim, he is the one who pushed me to reach the standards I did.”
Niksy was able to polish up his skills and technique under Mahesh Weerasinghe, the head coach of Zahira College. Though Zahira is well known as a pioneer in the schools’ football arena, they have also been making great strides in cricket in the recent past. In the 2013/2014 season, Zahira College handed shock defeats to some leading schools and Niksy was the key performer in most of the games.
The Inter-School 6-a-side Tournament organized by the Old Zahirians batch of ’80 saw Niksy shine. Zahira College emerged as the champions in the tournament and in the semi-final against Presidents’s College, Niksy smashed 45 which included 6 sixes. Zahira went onto win the match comfortably by 45 runs.
Niksy went berserk with the bat in the final against Wesley College scoring 58 off just 15 deliveries (7 sixes) as Zahira College posted a total of 70. Wesley College could only manage 48 as Zahira College won the final by 22 runs. Niksy Ahamad was adjudged the Player of the final and was also awarded the best batsman of the tournament.
Mahesh Weerasinghe, who was also the coach of Moors Cricket Club at the time, offered Niksy a chance to play for his club. Niksy played for Moors CC in Division 2 games and later moved to Sri Lanka Customs Sports Club. He performed well for Sri Lanka Customs getting 50+ scores consistently with his highest score being 75. Then he chose to move to Chilaw Marians with the hope of playing in the Division 1 tournament. Though he had some notable contributions for Chilaw Marians in a tournament held in Malaysia, his form gradually declined during the U-23 inter-club tournament. He was given only limited chances in the Premier league tournament due to continuous failures.
After completing his school education Niksy returned to his hometown, Ampara, expecting to pursue higher education. Though he had no proper facilities in the region, Niksy continued to train and practice with the limited resources he had. His former coach Mahesh Weerasinghe discovered that Niksy had stopped playing cricket, and invited him to play for Moors CC again. But Niksy declined the offer citing personal reasons.
Inspired by the performances of Kusal Mendis, who played schools’ cricket during the same time as himself, Niksy is hoping to get back into the cricketing career after a lapse of a few years. It will not be easy going for Niksy to step into the ground after a long break but he is ready to press on and go the extra mile to re-awaken the destructive batsman he used to be.
“I have been playing some cricket in Ampara but not in any professional level. If I get the chance to come to Colombo and play I am confident that I can get back to my former self and even try to get into national contention”
We wish him all the best and hope he serves as a role model to all the cricket loving youngsters in the Eastern province.
