From Empty Pockets to Big Dreams: Haider Ali’s Journey From Pakistan to UAE Cricket.
Dubai: When Haider Ali landed in the UAE in 2022, he had little money to his name but carried big ambitions. His goal was to pursue his dream of becoming an international cricketer while building a more secure future for his family.
For Haider, moving to the UAE was about more than chasing a cricket career. It also meant taking on the responsibility of supporting those he had left behind.
“I came from Pakistan to Dubai with an empty pocket but full of dreams. I had only Pakistani 10 rupees when I was at the airport,” Haider told Gulf News.
Saying goodbye to his family was among the most emotional moments of his journey. Haider recalled watching his loved ones break down in tears, particularly his father, who had worked tirelessly to support his cricketing ambitions.
“My father had a dream that I would become an international player,” he said.
Haider’s path to cricket began years before his move to the UAE. In Pakistan, he started working as a shopkeeper in 2010 to earn a living and help support his family. Although cricket remained his passion, financial pressures made it difficult for him to devote himself entirely to the sport.
A turning point came when he was selected by the Punjab Group of Colleges. Haider left his job as a shopkeeper and began working nights as a waiter at a marriage hall. The income helped him continue pursuing cricket while also sending money home to his village.
During his college years, Haider met Akhtar Mumtaz Butt, who became his first cricket coach and played a significant role in shaping his development as a player.
“He was like a father to me,” Haider said.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, bringing another difficult chapter in Haider’s journey. With his savings depleted and his family still depending on him, he had to find another source of income. He turned to selling fruit on the streets of Lahore to make ends meet.
Today, as he steps onto the international stage wearing UAE colours, Haider continues to carry those experiences with him and remembers the people who supported him through the toughest periods of his career.
“I want to thank a few people who helped me a lot in my career because I feel that if those people were not there, I would not be here today,” Haider said.
Among those he credited were Fazal Qadoos, his first teacher; Akhtar Mumtaz Butt, his university and college coach; and the University of Central Punjab.
“I give huge thanks to the University of Central Punjab because they gave me a lot of facilities at a time when it mattered the most,” he added.
From Pakistan dream to UAE reality
Haider’s original ambition was to represent Pakistan at the international level. He began his cricketing journey in his homeland and spent years working towards establishing himself as a player there.
However, the opportunity to play international cricket eventually came from a different country.
“Yes, because I started my cricket career from Pakistan, my homeland. But it was not in my Naseeb (destiny). I played all my cricket in Pakistan, but God had a different plan for me,” he said.
That unexpected turn in Haider’s journey eventually led him to the UAE, where his cricketing ambitions began to take shape on the international stage.
Today, Haider sees the UAE as much more than the country where he built his cricket career. He considers it his home, his country and a place where he truly belongs.
The Emirates Cricket Board has also continued to support Haider, providing him with the assistance and opportunities needed to develop his career.
Haider’s journey from an aspiring cricketer struggling to provide for his family to representing the UAE on the international stage has given him an even greater sense of purpose.
“My biggest goal in cricket is to be the best and do something special for UAE cricket because this country made our dreams come true and helped me make my family stable,” he said.
One of his key ambitions is to help the UAE make further progress in the 50-over format and compete on one of cricket’s biggest stages.
“I want to do something more for the UAE team with my performance and also play in a 50-over World Cup,” he said.
Jadeja, Sangakkara and the biggest leagues
As a left-arm orthodox bowler, Haider has drawn inspiration from some of cricket’s most accomplished names.
India’s Ravindra Jadeja is among the players he particularly admires, with Haider regarding him as one of the leading bowlers in white-ball cricket. Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara is another prominent figure he looks up to.
Yet the person who has inspired him most throughout his cricketing journey is much closer to home — his father.
“My cricket idol is my father too because he wanted to see me become an international player,” Haider said.
That unexpected turn in Haider’s journey eventually led him to the UAE, where his cricketing ambitions began to take shape on the international stage.
Today, Haider sees the UAE as much more than the country where he built his cricket career. He considers it his home, his country and a place where he truly belongs.
The Emirates Cricket Board has also continued to support Haider, providing him with the assistance and opportunities needed to develop his career.
Haider’s journey from an aspiring cricketer struggling to provide for his family to representing the UAE on the international stage has given him an even greater sense of purpose.
“My biggest goal in cricket is to be the best and do something special for UAE cricket because this country made our dreams come true and helped me make my family stable,” he said.
One of his key ambitions is to help the UAE make further progress in the 50-over format and compete on one of cricket’s biggest stages.
“I want to do something more for the UAE team with my performance and also play in a 50-over World Cup,” he said.
As a left-arm orthodox bowler, Haider has drawn inspiration from some of cricket’s most accomplished names.
India’s Ravindra Jadeja is among the players he particularly admires, with Haider regarding him as one of the leading bowlers in white-ball cricket. Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara is another prominent figure he looks up to.
Yet the person who has inspired him most throughout his cricketing journey is much closer to home — his father.
“My cricket idol is my father too because he wanted to see me become an international player,” Haider said.
The sacrifices made by Haider’s father have remained closely connected to his cricketing journey, continuing to motivate him as he sets his sights on even bigger goals.
Among those ambitions is the opportunity to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). When asked whether he would choose the Pakistan Super League (PSL) or the IPL, Haider’s preference was clear.
“Of course IPL because IPL is the number one league around the globe,” he said.
A World Cup win that mattered
Haider was part of the UAE squad at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, where the team secured a memorable victory against Canada in Delhi.
Chasing Canada’s total of 150 for seven, the UAE reached 151 for five in 19.4 overs to claim their first win of the tournament. Aryansh Sharma led the chase with an unbeaten 74, while Sohaib Khan contributed 51. Their crucial 84-run partnership helped turn the contest in the UAE’s favour, while Junaid Siddique starred with the ball by taking five wickets.
Haider also played his part, conceding 29 runs from his four overs. He described the victory as an important and memorable moment for the UAE team.
“It was very big and our first win in the World Cup. We needed this win as a team to stay in the World Cup,” Haider said.
He credited the UAE’s bowling performance for helping set up the victory before praising Aryansh Sharma and Sohaib Khan, who scored 74 and 51 respectively during the successful chase.
“The way Sohaib finished the game, it was a very special innings from his side. He is a quality player, and Aryansh Sharma also played really well.”
Muhammad Arfan eventually sealed the victory by scoring the winning run.
Building a career with the UAE and eyeing the next target
The UAE’s progress has provided Haider with a platform that once appeared far beyond his reach. His journey to international cricket has taken him from working as a shopkeeper and a waiter at marriage halls to selling fruit on the streets of Lahore during difficult times.
Those struggles now stand in sharp contrast to his career with the UAE, where he has the opportunity to represent the country on the international stage and pursue even greater ambitions.
Haider also credits the UAE’s cricket administration with providing an environment where expatriate players can develop their skills and pursue their ambitions at the highest level.
“They give us a lot of respect and our Emirates Cricket Board also supports us a lot,” Haider said. “We represent UAE and, for me, it is a proud thing to be part of this team.”
His attention is now firmly on contributing to the UAE’s development as a team and helping it achieve greater success on the international stage.
Ahead of the 2026 ACC Men’s Premier Cup, Haider said the squad had worked extensively on its preparations, combining demanding training sessions with two-day matches before heading into the Asia Cup qualifiers.
“We practice a lot for this event. We had great training sessions and we played two-day games as well before going to the Asia Cup qualifiers. We give our best and everything for this event,” he said.
Haider believes the facilities and backing provided by the Emirates Cricket Board have also given players the confidence they need to compete against other international sides.
“The facilities we get from our board and the support from our board — this is what gives us the courage to compete with other teams,” he said.
That backing has played an important role in a journey that has transformed Haider’s life. From arriving in Dubai with just 10 Pakistani rupees in his pocket, he has gone on to become an international cricketer for the UAE, feature at a World Cup and set his sights on reaching even greater heights in the sport.
Yet, despite how far he has come, Haider has not forgotten the people who helped make his journey possible.
There is his father, whose dream was to see his son become an international cricketer; his first teacher, Fazal Qadoos; his coach, Akhtar Mumtaz Butt; and the University of Central Punjab, which provided crucial opportunities and support at an important stage of his career.
For Haider, becoming a professional cricketer for the UAE represents far more than achieving a sporting milestone. It is the fulfilment of his father’s dream, a chance to provide greater stability for his family, and the continuation of a cricketing ambition that began in Pakistan before finding a new home in the UAE.
