Muhammad Zakir Khan is a Pakistan-born German cricketer. An all-rounder, he bowls right-arm medium-fast, and bats right-handed. Khan joined GSCC in 2011. He is originally from Pakistan. He represented various provincial teams at youth levels in Nowshera during his high school years. He was known for his all-around skills in cricket. He was known to be an excellent fielder in the team. His cricketing career was brought to a halt after he changed his home due to his studies, which took him from Islamabad to Lahore and at last to Bonn, Germany.
He found a new home in bonn after getting a scholarship from DAAD to continue his studies in Bonn. He joined Golden Stars soon after. He started becoming regular member of Golden Star Cricket Club in Bonn and getting them to success after success. From getting various personal accolades during state level competitions like best bowler in German Bundesliga T20 competition to best fielder
Background
Zakir Khan’s cricket career in Germany started when he was selected to play in GSCC and participated in a couple of matches. His debut came in a match against the Düsseldorf where he batted at number three and was run out after scoring 54.
Cricketer
Zakir Khan always used to play cricket with his friends and now they are trained with a full-fledged cricket coach. They train once a week as allowed by the city of Bonn. Zakir said, “I had heard about Global Cricket Club in a local newspaper in 2011. All I could think was that this is a club that does not require any delegation. I thought that if I am in this city and I want to pursue my cricketing career, I should join this club. All my friends also joined this club and we played one match at the local club. This was our first match and we had not practiced at all. Our coach, Nadeem Abbasi, was the best in the business and he believed in his players. He knew us as we were his sons. He was very supportive of us and he motivated us to be champions. That is how Global Cricket Club has become a world-class club.
How to start a career as a cricketer in Germany
“I did not know where cricket was played and anything about cricket infrastructure in Germany, about when I came to Germany. I took one session with a cricket coach of the club, and then from that day I started training and practicing cricket. I took a lot of interest in it. I also attended a coaching clinic in Pakistan,” said Khan. After a decent outing in the club, he was invited to play for the team of the city Bonn, which was under the ‘city’s club’ that was part of the ‘Bonn city’s association.
Bonn is a big city of Northrhein Westphalia NRW and home to various nationalities, GSCC provides a platform for all communities to play a healthy sport. Near the River Rhein, this place has become one where Pakistani or South Asian migrants lead the field. Nadeem Abbasi and GSCC Bonn are hailed by all Asian Bonners as one of those who pioneered the trend of cricket in a football-crazy Germany.