Shakeel Ahmed

Born on the 1st of January, 2000 in Romania, a country more often associated with football than cricket, Shakeel Ahmed's journey to becoming an accomplished allrounder is a testament to his indomitable spirit and passion for the game. As a young boy, Shakeel's interest in cricket piqued during family visits to Pakistan, where he would watch enthralling matches on TV and mimic the strokes of his heroes in local parks. The absence of cricket infrastructure in Romania meant that Shakeel was largely self-taught in his early years, practising his bowling on Karparky's cement surfaces and honing his batting against makeshift balls.

Despite these humble beginnings, Shakeel’s devotion bore fruit when he joined his local club at the age of 13. His natural aptitude for cricket saw him accelerate through age-group teams, eventually catching the eye of Romania's national selectors. His skillset, particularly his adaptable batting and versatile bowling, was instrumental in him securing a spot in the Romanian national team, marking his professional debut at the European Cricket Championship in 2019.

Shakeel quickly made a name for himself as a player who could change the course of a match single-handedly. His hard-hitting batting, combined with an ability to craft innings as per the situation's demands, had him earmarked as a future star. His bowling—fleet-footed and strategic, swinging the ball both ways—proved equally crucial in tight encounters. Shakeel's agility in the field added an extra dimension to his game, often saving crucial runs and executing sharp run-outs.

His most celebrated performances include a memorable outing against Austria in 2021, where he scored a match-winning 87 not out and followed up with crucial wickets, leading Romania to a thrilling victory in the final overs. Shakeel's prowess was further solidified when he played an integral role in Romania's triumph at the 2022 Balkan Cricket Cup, making significant contributions with both bat and ball.

Perhaps Shakeel’s most defining rivalry has been against Bulgaria, where he has consistently excelled under pressure. His 5-wicket haul against them in a high-stakes match is often cited as one of the finest displays of all-round cricket in Romania's team history.

Shakeel Ahmed continues to captivate fans and young aspirants in Romania, embodying the spirit of perseverance and adaptability. His journey is a beacon of hope, illustrating that with passion and dedication, geographical boundaries hold little significance for one's dreams.

Batting Stats

Bowling Stats