Caught! Twins who switched identities during cricket game
IT was hardly a clash to rank alongside the Ashes, although for identical twins Nazim and Zahid Mohammed it was still a match they badly wanted to win.
But the cunning plan they hatched hoping for victory was definitely not in the spirit of the game – and certainly not cricket.
The 27-year-old brothers were last night facing a lifetime ban after they were branded cheats for switching identities hoping to stump the opposition. They were caught out and gave the game away because one was right-handed while the other was left-handed.
Right-arm bowler Nazim, playing for the Liverpool and District Cricket Competition’s representative side, helped restrict their opponents of top players from the Nottinghamshire Premier League to 144 all out.
But Nazim knew his left-handed brother, who had not been selected, was a better batsman and with runs vitally important it was Zahid not Nazim who walked to the crease after tea.
The plan backfired because their team lost the ECB President’s Trophy match at Warsop, Notts, by 17 runs with ringer Zahid, ironically, getting a duck.
Match officials failed to spot the skulduggery during the game, although opposition players had their suspicions because it is rare to see a player bowl one way and bat the other. It was not until several days after the July 5 match that the ruse was rumbled because of gossip at the New Brighton Cricket Club on Merseyside where both players were members. Last week details of the secret swap were discussed at a special meeting of the Liverpool and District Cricket Competition committee and both men were banned for life from representing the New Brighton club. They immediately resigned. Andy Grice, manager of the representative side, also resigned because he felt responsible for what happened, although it was accepted he knew nothing of the brothers’ trickery. Those players who were aware of what happened but took no action were formally censured and the L&DCC banned itself from the President’s Trophy Competition for two years to comply with the spirit of cricket.
Chairman Ted Williams said: “I was at the ground and I was absolutely unaware of what was going on. I saw the guy out there but I was not familiar with either of them in terms of their playing.
“But one thing is certain, they did do the switch and it only came to light when certain things materialised after the game.”
He added: “I think some players were aware later on because the bowler batted right and the guy who switched batted left.
“I have never known anything like it. There are teams where people have suggested it is going on but I have definitely never heard of it at this level.”
The brothers, who are said to have business interests in Liverpool, were keeping a low profile yesterday.
A New Brighton club member said: “They are deeply embarrassed and ashamed and have gone to ground.”
