Photo Credit: Cricket South Africa
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has learnt with sadness of the passing of Rafique Khota, one of the stalwarts of the Transvaal Cricket Board both as a player and administrator, on Tuesday.
He was 88 years old.
An opening batsman and medium-pace bowler he represented the Transvaal Indians, SA Indians as well as Transvaal during the South African Cricket Board of Control (SACBOC) era.
Although he was born in Nigel, he spent many of his formative years in the Surat District of India when he could not return home following the outbreak of World War II. When it became possible, he played for and captained the Johannesburg Indian High School. He also played for the Kohinoor Club which he captained for many years and also represented Wits University.
He made his provincial debut in 1955, one of the many highlights being an unbeaten innings of 83 against powerhouse Western Province that enabled Transvaal to win the Dadabhay Cup for the first time.
At the conclusion of his playing career he served as manager and as a selector of the SACBOC Transvaal Team that won the Dadabhay Cup in 1974/5 and was a selector during the first attempt at ‘unity’ in 1976.
“Rafique was one of the many cricketers who was denied the opportunity and the recognition that his talents deserved,” commented CSA Acting Chief Executive Pholetsi Moseki.
“On behalf of the CSA Family I extend our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and his cricket colleagues.”
