Akbar Saiyad

A true veteran on the Portuguese cricket scene, Akbar Saiyad is a top-order batsman and in his youth was also the national team's wicketkeeper. He has captained Portugal since they officially entered international cricket at the ECF Trophy in 1993. Akbar was born in Lourenco Marques when Mocambique was still a Portuguese colony and is therefore a Portuguese citizen by birth.

Saiyad was at the helm when Portugal claimed the ECC Trophy title in 2001, his 126-run opening stand with Nadeem Butt setting up a nine-wicket win over Austria in the tournament final in Vienna. His extraordinary committment to fitness meant he was still in charge of the side a decade later, captaining Portugal in the ICC European Division Two Championship in Belgium at a sprightly 64 years old.
Liam Brickhill June 2011