THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : From the cricket grounds of Thiruvananthapuram to the international stage, 20-year-old Keziah Miriam Sabin’s journey to the UAE women’s national team is a story of passion, perseverance, and love for the game.
Keziah was first introduced to cricket by her father, Sabin Iqbal, a renowned sports journalist and cricket fanatic. It was during one of those routine practice sessions, where Sabin brought Keziah’s brother to the nets, that Keziah first grabbed a bat -- not as a player but as a curious sibling looking for a bit of fun.
What began as a casual involvement quickly turned into a passion. While her brother eventually turned his focus toward studies, Keziah continued to show up on the field, her dedication only growing stronger. And it has paid off, earning her a place in the sport, just like her father always dreamt of.
“From a very young age, I have been crazy about sports, not just cricket. In school, I was that kid who would jump into every sports event and end up winning,” Keziah recalls with a smile. “But cricket was always my main game, and I was training seriously.
Then I got my big break when I was selected to the under-16 Thiruvananthapuram district team. That’s when I really started playing cricket professionally. I set my sights on the sport when I was just 13, and I have never looked back since.”
Keziah was born in the UAE while her parents were working there as journalists. The family eventually returned to Thiruvananthapuram, but her UAE roots gave her the advantage, making it easier for her to secure a spot on the UAE national team.
“I knew I needed to give it my all, so I switched to open schooling in eighth grade to make more time for training. I started out with the Kerala Cricket Association in Thiruvananthapuram, then moved to Rahul Dravid’s Six Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where things really started to get serious. A three-year scholarship programme took me to Ravi Shastri’s Cricket School in Chennai. I have also had the chance to represent Kerala twice in under-19 tournaments,” Keziah said.
While on her scholarship programme, Keziah got the opportunity to join the UAE national team. Ahmed Raza, head coach of the UAE women’s team, was impressed by the practice videos and match clips Keziah sent him and invited her to join the national team camp.
“My family and I always dreamt of representing India,” she shares, but I was going through a rough patch, facing setbacks and failures. I even thought about quitting the game. Then this chance came along, and it felt like a golden opportunity I could not pass up. Now, my focus is on playing my best for the UAE, and hopefully, making it to the World Cup.”
Aside from her father, Keziah draws inspiration from cricketers like Smriti Mandhana, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and especially Jemimah Rodrigues, whose playing style and attitude towards the game continue to motivate her.
The UAE squad for the Capricorn Triangular Series in Namibia has been announced, and Keziah Miriam Sabin is set to make her debut on September 6.