The 'Keeper of Faith' and Promise to his Son

Fathers may not be well known for showing affection by words, but some choose to let their actions speak louder. Today is Father's Day, and this year, we thought of doing something different by sharing the amazing bond Former Zimbabwe Skipper Tatenda Taibu shares with his older son of the same name!

Tatenda Taibu was once the youngest Test Captain in cricket, leading Zimbabwe for the first time just before his 21st birthday, and retired at a very early age of just 29 years in 2012. By then, he had scored nearly 5,000 runs and had taken more than 200 dismissals behind the stumps, and left Cricket to focus on his work for the Church.

Taibu, the then youngest Test Captain before turning 21

After retiring so young and his son being very small at the time, Tatenda Jnr was shocked to learn that his father was once a Cricketer to played against the likes of Chris Gayle after being shown a few videos of his career highlights (as he once said he does not take Cricket home), Taibu Jnr wanted to see him play!

"I want to see you play again"

He was already the Chief Selector and was in the process of publishing his book 'Keeper of Faith: Cricket, Conflict and God in Zimbabwe's Age of Extremes' (which autobiography that speaks out on the social issues he endured as a young Black cricketer for Zimbabwe), but he felt the need to make his son's wish a reality.

After seeing an advertisement by the Badureliya Cricket Club for the need of an overseas player to play in the Premier League in 2019, Taibu didn't hesitate to make his son's wish come true. Although he could only make a best score of 45 twice during the season, his son finally got the opportunity to watch his father play cricket again (and here's the team preview)

"My son Tatenda Jr also often asks how I used to play, now that he has taken a liking to the sport. He didn't really get the chance to see me as he was too young at the time. I have stayed extremely fit and healthy and feel I'm still one of the fittest cricketers around, so I thought maybe I can let him see for himself how I can perform." (via ESPNCricinfo)

This little story may have been widely known back then, considering it was indeed a shock return to Cricket by the former Zimbabwean Captain, but it is a gentle reminder of what fathers would do just to make their children happy.

Here's to wishing a Happy Father's Day to all the superdads out there, some who may be in a land far away and some who have left us but continue to inspire their children, and a special mention to the Author's father who doesn't get enough credit for all the successful stories shared from The Sidelines!