Imagine you are 21 and your professional debut is in one of the worlds most atmospheric and legendary football venues. A capacity of crowd of over 40,000 will be scrutinizing your every move along with millions watching around the globe.
Your mission if you chose to accept is to snuff out the danger posed by some of the world’s most feared goal scoring machines.
While many can only dream or fantasize about the above for Zeshan Rehman this was reality! This was the Premiership - the world’s best, most talked and watched football league.
When Zeshan Rehman ran out onto Anfield in April 2004, not only did he contain a strikeforce with a combined cost of £20 million, he also made history by becoming the first player of South Asian origin to play in the Premiership.
In the next coming weeks Zesh would lock horns and hold his own against the likes of Alan Shearer, Patrick Kluivert, Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry and Jermain Defoe.
For many in the game Zesh’s performance came as no surprise. As a youngster growing up in Birmingham, kicking a ball a stones throw away from Villa Park, he had always shown the ability and pedigree needed to perform at the highest level.
At the age of 12 Zesh left his home in the Midlands and traveled to London to pursue his footballing dreams. He received 100% backing from his Pakistani born parents Khalid and Farah. Through hard work and determination Zesh made his way through Fulham’s junior, youth and reserve sides before making his full debut against Liverpool.
In total Zesh made over 30 appearances for Fulham. His spell at Craven Cottage was sandwiched between loan spells at Norwich and Brighton. He left the club in July 2006. It was not an easy decision, especially given the close working relationships that had been formed with the staff at Fulham. Zesh would not be the player he is today without the guidance he received from Chris Coleman, Steve Kean and Watt Nicol in particular.
Zesh is currently plying his trade in London with Championship side Queens Park Rangers. He signed a three-year contract with the Loftus Park side in August 2006. His aim is too see QPR back in the Premiership.
Meanwhile at international level Zesh’s decision to represent Pakistan rather than England made headlines across the world.
The British ethnic media in particular along with anti racism figures within football criticized the decision. They argued the move would damage community relations. Zesh had been viewed as the first Asian player to represent England at full international level – after all he had played for the English under 17, 18, 19 and 20 sides.
Zesh stated the decision "to choose Pakistan over England" was one of the "hardest of his life" but he had to be "realistic" at the chances of playing internationally for England.
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) was ecstatic and overjoyed at having secured the services of a player with Premiership experience. Officials at the PFF not only invited Zesh to play but captain Pakistan during the South Asian Football Championships. The tournament was held in Karachi (the birth place of Zesh’s father) in December 2005.
Zesh was greeted upon arrival at Karachi International Airport by a huge media scrum (the size of which even exceeded the numbers that turn up for the Pakistan cricket team). He was in constant demand by the country’s media and made numerous TV appearances. Such was him impact that over 30,000 spectators attended Pakistan’s group matches. The average gate before Zesh’s arrival was around 5,000.
With a flexible agreement with the PFF, Zesh’s short-term aim is to make Pakistan a footballing force within South Asia. The long-term aim is to see the team hopefully qualify for a major tournament.
His inclusion has had an instant impact and Zesh was pivotal in one of the country’s greatest ever performance. On October 28 2007 Pakistan held the Asians champions Iraq to a 0-0 scoreline.
Away from football Zesh spends time with family and friends. His hobbies include snooker, cinema and socilising with friends and listening to music. He is fluent in Urdu and Panjabi and hopes to have an arranged marriage sometime soon.
