Dawood Ejaz

Dawood Ejaz
Nationality: United Arab Emirates
Position: Bowler
Date of Birth: 2000-01-01 Age: 25

Bio

Career Stats

Fixtures

Teams

Dawood Ejaz, born on New Year’s Day in 2000, is one of those rare cricketers who seems destined for greatness, possessing a natural flair that commanded attention from a remarkably young age. Growing up in the bustling city of Lahore, Dawood was drawn to the cricket grounds that dotted his neighbourhood. His father, an avid cricket enthusiast, used to take him to weekend matches, and it was here that Dawood first learned to twirl a cricket ball.

His rise through the ranks of Pakistani cricket was as swift as it was dramatic. By his mid-teens, Dawood was already making waves in local club matches with his pace and precision. Coaches were astounded by the range in his bowling—a treasure trove of inswingers, leg-cutters, and bouncers. His adaptability wasn’t limited to his bowling; few could forget his ability to switch batting styles fluidly, moulding his game to the needs of any situation.

Only a few years shy of his professional debut in 2018, Dawood had already set records in domestic competitions, claiming the most wickets in the 2017 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. This caught the national selectors’ eye and landed him his debut for Pakistan in a high-octane encounter against rival India. That match, held in Karachi, was a testament to Dawood's nerves of steel. Delivering a spellbinding performance, his figures read 5 wickets for just 29 runs, and he was heralded as a national hero overnight.

Perhaps one of the most defining rivalries of his career has been with Indian batsman Arjun Mehra, a saga that began during his international debut. Each encounter kept fans on edge, with Dawood and Mehra often exchanging the upper hand—an electric duel watched avidly on both sides of the border.

His defining moment, though, came in the 2023 ICC World Cup semi-final against Australia, where Dawood’s versatility shone through. Faced with a daunting target, it was his late-order cameo and a rapid 35 runs that propelled Pakistan to a memorable victory, showcasing that his contributions weren't confined to his bowling alone.

Throughout his career, Dawood Ejaz has been more than just a bowler. To many, he represents the modern cricketer, whose versatility and spirit encapsulate the evolving essence of the game, leaving an indelible mark on cricket’s rich tapestry.