Vikas Malik, a 33-year-old cricketer originally from Kaithal, Haryana, is being hailed for scoring a record-breaking 280 not out in the Christchurch Metro Cricket Division 2 match played on Saturday, 4 February. Malik shattered the previous record of 251 runs and led his team East Shirley Cricket Club to victory after beating Marist Harewood by a mammoth 366 runs.
Malik has made a name for himself in the cricket circle of Christchurch where he moved in 2019 to study construction management. Despite his work which keeps him on road and leaves little time for practice, he has made a significant impact in the cricketing world.
Malik's passion for cricket started at a young age and he has been steadily climbing the ranks with his impressive performances. Back in India, Malik played extensive cricket representing his university. In Christchurch, he has played in various formats and has consistently been one of the top run scorers. Last year, while playing for Canta Tigers in the Christchurch Premier League, Malik scored 263 and was adjudged the best batsman of the league.
Last Sunday Malik won the Man of the Match award after scoring a match-winning 61 runs for Canta Tiger that led to their victory in Christchurch Premier League season 2023.
His record-breaking innings of 280 not out in the Christchurch Metro Cricket Tournament included 34 fours and 13 sixes. His 200-run partnership with his teammate Aniket Sharma helped secure a win for his team.
Speaking to the Indian Weekender, Malik said, “I am really happy about my performance. I had a strong conviction that I could reach this score. Despite the extreme heat, I maintained my focus and played to the best of my abilities. I want to thank my teammates for their support. I am also grateful to Donn Leckie, my club manager who is always motivating and encouraging.”
A fan of ace Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, Malik strives to emulate his style of play and has won numerous awards for his batting.
Commenting on his performance, the president of the Christchurch Multicultural Council, Surinder Tandon said, “Malik's record-breaking performance is a major accomplishment and a source of pride for the Indian and wider migrant communities. May he continue to soar and achieve even greater heights in the future.”
Malik has plans to focus on his cricketing career once he gets his residency. He is a run machine, and with his recent record-breaking performance, he has shown the world what he is capable of. He has set a high bar for himself and the cricketing world is eager to see what he will achieve next.
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