In the suburb of Mabvuku, there is a young man with big dreams.
Mabvuku is one of Harare’s oldest suburbs and has likely gained recognition worldwide since the great Floyd Mayweather visited the area.
In this neighborhood, there is a young talent who dreams of wearing Zimbabwe Cricket’s red kit.
He has already represented his country at the Under-19 World Cup, showcasing his potential.
He took five wickets against Pakistan in the Under-19 World Cup, demonstrating his skills.
He has played for the Zimbabwe Emerging team, further proving his capabilities.
Recently, he picked up 12 wickets in a first-class match, underscoring his promise.
What is his other dream?
To meet his idol, Jofra Archer, a Barbados-born fast bowler who helped England win the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
You might be wondering why I chose to highlight Alex Falao.
Alex who?
I know some of you may not recognize the name, but his story has been on my mind lately, and I couldn’t let it go.
Why? I’m not entirely sure, but having shared a changing room with Falao, I know he is a talented athlete and an exciting prospect for the Chevrons. The question remains: will that potential be realized?
While this story celebrates Falao’s talent, it also serves as a message to Jofra Archer.
Jofra, Falao admires you; he follows and emulates everything you do.
“I think he is one of the best in the game and someone who has inspired black kids to play cricket. I am one of those who see him as an idol,” said Falao.
If I were a gifted writer, I would describe how Falao walks like Jofra and runs like Jofra.
“I just like how he goes about his business and how he handles tough situations. He loves the battle, and I take that as a learning curve in my career because everyone will experience good and bad days.”
Falao has now adopted cornrows and bowls with an armsleeve, just like Archer.
“I was inspired, and I think it really suits me, so I’m going to try it more going forward,” he said about his Archer-inspired hairstyle.
Archer is known for his speed, and while Falao is not slow, to use our local lingo, “he has got ‘ka that’“. At 21, he still has time to gain even more pace.
What would he say if he met his idol?
“I have plenty of questions to ask, but mainly I would want to know how to perform on the bigger stage; it’s easier said than done, I guess.”
While Archer has inspired Falao from a distance, those around him during his journey have also been crucial.
“I think I have plenty of people who played their roles in my life. It’s not just one person who helped, but many. I feel special because everyone wants to support my journey, and I’m thankful for that.”
“I obviously want to play for my country and compete in all forms of cricket, not forgetting about playing in leagues like the IPL because that’s where the experience comes from.”
Well done Alex , dreams do really come true