The young prodigy, Eli Mikail from Quetta burst into tears after coming to know about the sad demise of legendary spinner Shane Warne on Friday.
Eli Mikail is now 10 years old who came to the limelight when he was only 6 and expressed aspirations to be the next Shane Warne with his surprising talent of spin bowling. Eli Mikail copies the style and techniques of world-renowned leg-spinner Shane Warne for bowling googlies and leg breaks.
The young prodigy from Quetta had gotten attention from across the globe, as well as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Shane Warne who encourage him in a 2018 Twitter message, saying, “Dear Eli, your bowling looks fantastic, keep up the great work & thank you for your kind words!”
Dear Eli, your bowling looks fantastic, keep up the great work & thankyou for your kind words ! 👍 https://t.co/gosvIHHv9I
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) February 28, 2018
In another tweet, the late Shane Warne wrote, “Absolutely fantastic, blown away on how good the ball comes out of your hand, especially at the age of only 6 – well done and keep up the great work. One tip – get that bowling arm a little higher!”
Absolutely fantastic, blown away on how good the ball comes out of your hand, especially at the age of only 6 – well done and keep up the great work. One tip – get that bowling arm a little higher ! https://t.co/54A9DgrL6H
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 25, 2018
The young boy now 10, appeared in the video posted by Quetta Voice, saying, “How he died, I cannot accept this. It was a shocking news for me that he died. I was inspired by his sports and his name.” Under the stress, Mikail was even talking to his family members after watching the reports of Warne’s demise.
After the request, the mother of Mikail, Sakina Abdullah convinced her son to speak to Quetta Voice.
Shane Warne, one of cricket’s all-time greats, has died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 52 in Koh Samui, Thailand, while on holiday.
Warne, who was named one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Century, claimed 708 Test wickets in a 15-year career for Australia between 1992 and 2007, and was also an ODI World Cup winner in 1999.
According to his manager Michael Cohen, he died of a suspected heart attack, ESPNcricinfo reported.
“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” Cohen’s statement read. “The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday said Australians were “bewildered” by a “sad and sudden loss” of Shane Warne, and announced the cricketing hero would receive a state funeral.
In recognition of Warne’s “national achievements, his family will be offered a state funeral”, Morrison said in a statement.
Warne’s last tweet was a tribute to another former Australian cricket great, wicketkeeper Rod Marsh, who died earlier on Friday at the age of 74.
Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has passed. He was a legend of our great game & an inspiration to so many young boys & girls. Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much-especially to Australia & England players. Sending lots & lots of love to Ros & the family. RIP mate❤️
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 4, 2022
Credited with reviving the art of leg spin, Warne made his test debut in 1992 against India, kicking off a 15-year international career.
Warne was rated as one of the five greatest players of the 20th century by Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack but his hard living often made tabloid headlines as well.
The wily spinner frequently courted controversy and served a 12-month suspension after testing positive for banned diuretics in 2003.