Speech in Honor of Kamran Khan - April 18, 2004
By Mathew Abraham
Good evening friends, friends of cricket, and
friends of Haverford. I feel very fortunate to be here on this
occasion to say a few words in honor of Kamran Khan on behalf
of all of us. It is rare that one gets the opportunity to express
fully ones gratitude to a mentor.
Kamran has been to me, and to hundreds of students,
a friend and teacher for what has been an incredible three decades.
At Haverford, where students are often completely
consumed by their academic demands, it can be hard to find a
space where we learn a craft and ethos simply because we love
it. Kamran has provided us, through his magnificent service
to Haverford for a very long time.
When I arrived on campus ten years ago, Greg pulled
me aside during an international student dinner and asked, me
in his characteristic understated whisper, "Would you want
to play cricket for Haverford?" My first response was "I
never had time to play cricket in high school, it takes too
long, so I am not sure…" Then, without any show of
disappointment, he requested me to at least come out to meet
the coach later in the week. I mumbled "OK".
For those of you who grew up in the United States,
try to picture this…
You get onto a plane at age 17, fly across the
planet, and arrive on a mildly bucolic college campus in a foreign
country. A few days later you take a stroll and find the most
beautiful baseball field you have seen in your life. Then you
are offered to be coached at baseball by a former New York Yankee
who is also one of the most patient and humble persons you have
ever met.
Now that is divine serendipity.
I don't need to convince anybody in this room
what a great cricketer Kamran is. We have seen him demolish
sides single handedly. I have had the pleasure to see him do
this to some really good teams. I can't even begin to imagine
how breathtaking it must have been to see him on song against
the national teams of various countries, taking apart the best
bowlers in the world and pulling of brilliant stumpings and
catches as a wicketkeeper. I have only heard of his exploits
as part of the US national team. From his partners in crime
(some of whom are here today). I have however, suffered bowling
to him in practice… it involved mostly humiliating long
walks to Barclay beach, or rummaging around some distant bush
for a red object.
Given his enormous talent as a cricketer, it is
remarkable that Kamran has an unbridled enthusiasm to teach
cricket to students at any level and of any degree of talent.
His commitment has probably inspired many of us to pursue our
own vocations with similar zeal. Also, if you watch his reactions
during a Haverford game, it is abundantly clear that he lives
vicariously. One can see that he truly feels our success and
failure. One time when Haverford was being thrashed, all our
best batsmen were done and out stepped Ken Hartsfeld HC'96,
the most frail looking vegan who you can imagine. Kamran was
the only one in the Lester pavilion who was just not willing
to believe the game was over. While the team started putting
away the kit, Kamran sat on the bench literally biting his nails…
and Ken in his own innocuous style kept the game alive by taking
one and twos. Finally, on the last ball we needed six runs and
Ken nonchalantly deposited the ball into the trees over square
leg (mind you, he had never before hit a six even in practice).
You should have seen Kamran, in his excitement he leaped of
the bench where he had been sitting and sprinted out to hug
Ken!
Looking back, my fondest and most meaningful memories
at Haverford are from Copefield. I can recall walking onto the
pitch, with my heart in my mouth, bearing that I was going to
get our first ball for a duck, be hit for six, or drop the easiest
of catches.
However, Kamran's presence was enough to calm
me down. In his eyes you could see that assurance you can only
get from a true teacher. You can feel him willing you to try
your best no matter how overwhelming the opposition, and simultaneously
you can sense that if you fail he will be there to help you
learn from your mistakes.
There is simply never any doubt how badly Kamran
likes to see us succeed not just in cricket, but in all spheres
of our lives.
To have been a student of Kamran has been a blessing.
Through him, to carry on meeting life long friends
and to continue to make new ones, is priceless. Kamran is the
singular thread that weaves us all together. He serves not just
as our coach, but also as our collective memory.
On this day we honor Kamran with words, and offer
him our continued support, so he can continue his brilliant
service to Haverford.
What a deal,
We get to honor a man we love,
To do what he likes to do with all his heart,
Which he does with rare skill and grace,
For our benefit!
Thank you Kamranji, for all that you have done
for us, and we sincerely hope that you will be able to continue
to provide us with your fabulous service and unassuming leadership
for many years to come. We hope that many more future students
of Haverford will have the honor of learning to play this wonderful
game under you.
