Zubayr Hamza

In October 2014, at 19 years and 113 days, Zubayr became the fourth youngest batsman in South Africa to score a double hundred in a first-class game. Others who achieved the feat before turning 20 included names like Graeme Pollock, Dean Elgar, Ken Viljoen and others. All of whom who have played for South Africa and with distinction.

Hamza achieved this feat in a game against Namibia playing for the Western Province outfit. Since then his progress has been tracked and he has been elevated to play for Cape Cobras. Having Jacques Kallis as his idol has helped Zubayr mould his game on balance and patience. He has a neat stance and loves batting for hours with truck loads of concentration backing his ability. This is what separates him from the horde of other young players.

A product of the Rondebosch Boys' High School, Hamza has represented the South Africa Schools' team and skippered the Western Province under-19 team and narrowly missed out on representing the South African under-19 team. The young batsman and a part time leggie had been picked by the Jo'burg Giants team and would feature in the Global T20 league slated to happen in November 2017 - but unfortunately that tournament never happened.

By Kumar Abhisekh Das