Aaron William Benjamin, a 19-year-old who is quoted as, ‘the Chaminda Vaas of Associate Cricket.’ A Sri Lankan who represents the UAE Under 19 team, Aaron takes the quote as an honor and hopes to make it as big as the Chaminda Vaas, the Lankan Legend. Chaminda Vaas has a stunning record of 355 wickets in Tests, 400 wickets in ODIs, and 772 First Class wickets. Can Aaron William Benjamin match it? Let’s hope. Hope well!
Representing the UAE Youth ODI team in over 4 tournaments, he looks highly confident and absolutely ready to make quite a big splash in the men’s cricket.
Racking up a total of 48 wickets in just 3 seasons, he is well on his way to being considered one of the candidates for the UAE national selection. Then the Virus thing halted the process.
Aaron William Benjamin takes this as a better opportunity. He worked hard on his fitness during the quarantine period, and now, he seems to be well equipped physically, to take up any challenge.
Since cricketers were permitted to come back to nets, under social separation rules, he has been preparing with two senior group members.
Aaron William Benjamin says he gets a rush from having the option to bowl quick. He had been offered the opportunity to go to Sri Lanka for a preliminary after being spotted by a headhunter there, just for it to fall through due to the pandemic.
“Playing for your nation is a huge arrangement. Regardless of whether I was simply called up for camp, it would be incredible”
says Aaron
Aaron William Benjamin’s Player Profile
- Full name Aaron William Benjamin
- Born September 20, 2000, Dubai
- Current age 19 years 313 days
- Major teams the United Arab Emirates Under-19s
- Nickname Benji
- Playing role Bowler
- Batting style Right-hand bat
- Bowling style Left-arm fast-medium
Recent matches record:
| Bowl | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
| 1/28 | UAE U19 | Nepal U19 | Kuala Lumpur | 13 Apr 2019 |
| 2/23 | UAE U19 | Nepal U19 | Savar (4) | 2 Oct 2018 |
| 2/88 | UAE U19 | India U19 | Savar (3) | 30 Sep 2018 |
| 0/13 | UAE U19 | Afghan U19 | Savar (4) | 29 Sep 2018 |
Aaron William Benjamin’s Journey – From Sri Lanka To UAE
They say, if you are an Asian, either you are a cricket fan or a cricket player. Quite fitting isn’t it?
Aaron William Benjamin is no exception either.
The left-arm fast bowler has an interesting journey. Born in Sri Lanka, brought up in the southern African nation of Botswana when he was just a year old, and then moved to UAE in 2015. He is currently based in UAE.
Coming back to cricket, during his stay in Botswana Aaron had made into Botswana’s U15 side when he was 12. After he moved to UAE, he has been part of the UAE U-19 team and is constantly in the eyes of the national selectors. Left-arm fast, intelligent, and gritty that gives Aaron William Benjamin an edge over others like of UAE cricketers who seems to be his competition, but aren’t even close.
It seems quite safe to say that sooner than later we may witness his name in the International Circuit and a day seems near when some Legend of the Game is gonna term his as ‘the Next Chaminda Vaas of Associate Cricket’, from the com box.
Also referred to as the Zaheer Khan of the UAE, Aaron William Benjamin has emerged victorious against all odds and is soon to be a ‘Hot commodity’ for any franchise cricket, IPL to BBL, or ‘the next Chaminda Vaas’ of either Sri Lankan or UAE Cricket. Such talent!
Mentored by one of Asia’s greats left-arm fastie, Chaminda Vaas himself, it seems Aaron William Benjamin is on the right track to break into the scene. Just like his mentor, Aaron William Benjamin is also aspiring to become a prominent bowler of International Cricket.
Will he be a worthy successor? Believe the signs, he will.
I am inspired by you, you are like a ray of sunshine on a really dreary day and also you are making a difference and thank you for being there. Thanks for written such a nice blog. Good Luck.