Former captain Khurram Khan hopes his ICC Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year award will give UAE players “the belief” that they any of them can win the top accolade in the future.

The 44-year-old became the first UAE player to clinch the award on Wednesday after finishing the year as the leading run-scorer with 425 runs in nine ODIs.

It was a remarkable achievement for Khurram, especially as he ended his 14-year international career by retiring in June.

And Khurram hopes his feat can be the first of many for the UAE.

“I know this award will help inspire the UAE cricketers – both current and upcoming stars,” said Khurram. “It gives them a sense of belief that if they can perform on the field and do well for the team, they too can win this award.

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“It requires hard work to become a cricketer and it shows that if you work hard, you can be rewarded.

“Hopefully this will give the players the motivation and I hope I’m not the first and last UAE player to be receiving this award.”

Khurram, who guided the UAE to last year’s World Twenty20 and 2015 World Cup, ranks the feat as one of his finest.

“It’s definitely one of the biggest achievements. To win this award and be recognised that you are the best player in the Associate level is some achievement.”

Khurram will  play in next month’s Masters Champion League for Sagittarius Strikers.