Zahira College honours former national cap Muttaiah Devaraj
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Former Sri Lanka cricketer Muttaiah Devaraj, an alumni of Zahira College, Colombo, was felicitated by his alma mater at a ceremony held at the school’s main auditorium, the Ghaffoor Hall. This ceremony was organised collectively by the school authorities, the Board of Governors and the past cricketers of Zahira College, who played alongside Devaraj and those who trained under him.
A versatile middle-order batsman, Devaraj, turned out for Zahira for many seasons and ended up captaining the school’s first XI side in 1958. He played seven first class matches for Ceylon between 1964 and 1967, before becoming a coach and later a match referee.
Devaraj was a member of the Ceylon team that toured India in 1964-1965, where the team played five first class games. In the game against Madras, Devaraj made his highest first class score of 85, which apparently was Ceylon’s highest individual score of the match.
He then switched to become a coach, taking charge of school teams, including Zahira College. Devaraj functioned as a match referee in the Sri Lankan domestic circuit from 2002 to 2011. Sri Lanka Cricket has honoured Devaraj more than once, first in 2000 and in 2014. In 2018, he was one of the 49 former Sri Lankan cricketers to be recognised by Sri Lanka Cricket for their valuable services before the country became a full member of the International Cricket Council.
A the felicitation held at Zahira College recently, Devaraj was honoured with a school cricket blazer and a baggy cap, in addition to being presented with mementos and awards. Principal of Zahira, Trizvi Marikkar, Chairman of Board of Governors, Fauzul Hameed, Ashroff Ghany, Chairman of Organising Committee of the felicitation and other members of the committee, namely Tony Amit, M.S. Mazeer, Shamil Muheed and Desmond Weeabangsa were present at the event. Former cricketers, family member of Devaraj and staff members of the school also attended the event.
- Pix by Eshan Fernando
