Waheed Ahmad

Waheed Ahmad
Nationality: United Arab Emirates
Position: Bowler
Date of Birth: 2001-01-01 Age: 24

Bio

Career Stats

Fixtures

Teams

Born on the first day of the new millennium, Waheed Ahmad was destined to carve a niche for himself in the world of cricket. Hailing from the United Arab Emirates, a nation not historically synonymous with cricketing prowess, Waheed set his sights on defying the odds from a young age. As a child, he spent countless hours perfecting his skills on the sun-soaked grounds of Dubai, inspired by tapes of cricketing legends and the fervour of local matches that punctuated his childhood.

Waheed's cricketing journey gathered momentum as he progressed through the age groups, standing out due to his natural ability to both bamboozle batsmen with his bowling versatility and adapt to any situation when batting. His innate talent caught the attention of scouts, and soon, he donned the UAE national jersey, making his professional debut at just 19. It marked the beginning of an illustrious career, as Waheed quickly became a lynchpin in the team's bowling attack.

In an era when cricket's spotlight was firmly on subcontinental titans, Waheed made headlines during the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifiers. His remarkable five-wicket haul against a strong Scottish side was instrumental in propelling the UAE into the main event. The media aptly dubbed him the 'Sultan of Swing', a nod to his ability to manoeuvre the ball both ways, leaving even the finest of batsmen guessing.

Waheed’s adaptable batting approach, while not often called upon, proved crucial in numerous crunch games. His unbeaten cameo against Afghanistan in 2023 is remembered for its sheer audacity, as he helped his team secure a thrilling last-over victory, cementing a fierce rivalry with the neighbouring nation.

What set Waheed apart was not just his skill, but his unyielding spirit and dedication to UAE cricket. His rise coincided with a renaissance in Emirati cricket, inspiring a generation of aspiring cricketers who saw in him the possibility of global success despite local limitations.

Reflecting on his career, Waheed Ahmad stands out as a pure embodiment of grit and skill, a player who relentlessly pushed boundaries and consistently punched above his weight, both literally and figuratively. Off the field, he remains an ambassador for the sport in the UAE, fostering young talents, and sowing the seeds for the future of cricket in his homeland.