Discover the inspiring real-life stories of 10 Poor Pakistani Cricketers who rose from poverty to become millionaires. From tea stalls to cricket stadiums, these stars overcame struggles to achieve fame and fortune.
Introduction
Friends, when people look at the luxurious lifestyles and fame of Pakistani cricketers, they often get amazed. Their wealth, recognition, and comfortable lives make many fans believe they were born into rich families. But the reality is very different.
In fact, these cricketers came from very poor backgrounds. Some of them worked at roadside tea stalls, others stitched shoes in factories, and there was even one Poor Pakistani Cricketer who used to work in the fields for just 200 rupees a day. However, fate changed their lives, and they turned into millionaires.
In today’s Article , we’re going to show you 10 such superstar cricketers of Pakistan who struggled with poverty before stepping into the world of cricket.
1 Shoib Akhtar
There was a time when just hearing the name Shoaib Akhtar would make the world’s most famous batsmen tremble with fear. His fame, pride, and luxurious lifestyle make it seem like he was born with a golden spoon in his mouth. But friends, that is not true at all.
Shoaib was born into a very poor family that used to live in mud houses. They were so poor that once during heavy rain, the roof of their house collapsed. His father didn’t have the money to rebuild it. So, together with his family, Shoaib worked hard with his own hands and rebuilt their home in just one week.
Just like many other Poor Pakistani Cricketers, Shoaib lived with his parents, brothers, and sisters in one small house. When he was born, he couldn’t walk for the first five years of his childhood because of illness. His father didn’t have enough money to get him proper treatment.
When his mother finally took him to a government doctor, the doctor said that children like Shoaib usually die early or stay disabled for the rest of their lives — unable to walk or move freely. But destiny had different plans for him. Not only did Shoaib start walking after five years, but he also began running faster than anyone could imagine.
Later, he gave trials in front of legendary cricketer Zaheer Abbas and joined club cricket. From that day, he never looked back. He became a shining star of the cricket field and left everyone behind in the race of speed. Among the Poor Pakistani Cricketers, his rise was the most remarkable.
Shoaib Akhtar went on to bowl at the world record speed of 161.3 kilometers per hour, becoming the fastest bowler in cricket history. In those days, fast bowlers used to target batsmen without helmets, but Shoaib was so fierce that even players wearing helmets were left with bloody faces.
Like many Poor Pakistani Cricketers, he turned his pain into power. He didn’t just become a cricketer — he became a legend. His aggressive bowling, unmatched speed, and fearless attitude made him stand out from everyone else.
Even today, the world remembers the Rawalpindi Express — a name that still echoes in the cricketing world. His story is a powerful example of how Poor Pakistani Cricketers can rise from broken homes to global fame. It shows that poverty can’t stop true talent, and with enough courage and dedication, even the most humble beginnings can lead to greatness.
Shoaib Akhtar’s journey is one of the most inspiring among all Poor Pakistani Cricketers, and his name will forever be remembered as the fastest bowler to ever play the game.
2 Hasan Ali
Friends, Hasan Ali is also one of those players who were very poor before entering the world of cricket. He was born in a small village near Gujranwala and went on to become a match-winner for the Pakistan national team. In a short time, he became an important member of the team due to his outstanding performances.
Hasan Ali is also famous for his unique celebration style, which has made millions of fans around the world. Although his poor performance in the T20 World Cup 2021 broke the hearts of many fans, cricket lovers still remember the 2017 Champions Trophy, where Hasan Ali gave an exceptional performance and played a major role in Pakistan’s victory.
No matter what, the fact remains that Hasan Ali was born into a very poor family and struggled through many hardships. Like many other Poor Pakistani Cricketers, he rose from humble beginnings to become a superstar in the national team. His journey continues to inspire those who dream big despite having very little.
Hasan Ali’s success story is a powerful example of how Poor Pakistani Cricketers can achieve greatness through hard work, dedication, and talent.
3 Haris Rauf
Friends, you already know about Pakistan’s fast bowler Haris Rauf, who bowls at a speed of 150 kilometers per hour. Today, he is one of the most dangerous soldiers in Pakistan’s army of bowlers. But friends, did you know what kind of life he lived in the past?
Haris Rauf once worked as a salesman at a shop in Rawalpindi, where he used to earn just 250 rupees a day. Yet, his passion for cricket was so strong that he would practice with tennis balls in the streets and alleys. His father used to scold him for playing cricket, but Haris never gave up on his dream.
Like many Poor Pakistani Cricketers, Haris faced tough times. But everything changed when he gave trials for Lahore Qalandars and surprised his whole family. The Qalandars’ coach, Aaqib Javed, noticed his raw pace and immediately said that this boy would become a superstar in the Pakistan national team.
Then came the T20 World Cup of 2021, and Aaqib Javed’s prediction came true. Haris proved himself on the world stage, rising from a humble background to international fame. His story is one of many inspiring journeys of Poor Pakistani Cricketers who turn their struggles into strength.
From street cricket to the national stadium, Haris Rauf’s journey reminds us of how Poor Pakistani Cricketers can shine when given the right platform.
4 Muhammad Amir
Someone has rightly said that people only see cricketers when they become stars, but they ignore the struggles and hardships faced on the way to success. Mohammad Amir, born in Rawalpindi, is one such example. He was the youngest among seven siblings. From childhood, he had a deep love for cricket, and Wasim Akram was his favorite bowler.
Due to a lack of money, he couldn’t attend any proper cricket trials. But fate had something else planned. Wasim Akram noticed him, and Amir’s amazing swing bowling surprised everyone. After that, he never looked back and made his international debut at just 17 years old.
Amir is the same bowler who, through his brilliant performances, played a key role in helping Pakistan win the 2009 T20 World Cup and the 2017 Champions Trophy.
Indeed, he made a mistake by being involved in match-fixing, but at the age of 17, every child can make wrong decisions. Even after that, he faced a 5-year ban with courage and returned to cricket to help Pakistan win the Champions Trophy, clearing the stain on his name.
Mohammad Amir’s story is a true example of how Poor Pakistani Cricketers face financial struggles but still rise to the top with talent and determination. Like many other Poor Pakistani Cricketers, he didn’t have money, support, or resources—just raw skill and a dream.
Even though mistakes were made, his journey still inspires many Poor Pakistani Cricketers to never give up, no matter how tough life gets. His comeback proved that Poor Pakistani Cricketers can fall but also rise again with even more strength.
5 Shadab Khan
Friends, they say that when success comes close, nothing can stop it. A tea-selling boy becomes a hero in the world of cricket at just sixteen years old.
We are talking about Shadab Khan, who plays as the vice-captain of the Pakistan national team and is also the captain of Islamabad United in the PSL. He is only 23 years old and has already achieved great success.
But friends, do you know that behind these big achievements were hard work and strong dedication? He was born into a very poor family and used to help his father in farming. In his free time, he played cricket and sometimes bathed buffaloes in the canal.
Even at a young age, he used to spin the ball so well that he was selected for Pakistan’s Under-16 team. After that, he never looked back and earned the title of a superstar in the national team.
Shadab’s inspiring journey is a shining example of how Poor Pakistani Cricketers can turn their dreams into reality through determination and talent. Stories like his continue to motivate many Poor Pakistani Cricketers to rise despite their tough circumstances.
6 Shahnawaz Dhani
Who doesn’t know about Shahnawaz Dahani, the most famous bowler of PSL? His unique celebrations have made many fans crazy, and due to his amazing bowling, he was also part of the T20 World Cup 2021.
But friends, do you know that behind this smiling face, there are many hidden struggles and pain? He worked very hard to reach this level. He was born in a remote area of Sindh and used to live in a small hut with his family.
They were so poor that Shahnawaz Dahani had never even seen the inside of a school. He used to help his father in farming, and his elder brother used to run a fruit cart on the streets. Dahani was so passionate about cricket that he started helping his brother with the fruit cart, just to save some money to buy a bat and ball.
When trials for the Under-19 World Cup came, he didn’t even have shoes to wear. His friends collected money and gifted him a pair of shoes. This shows how many hardships he faced.
Friends, you can understand their poverty from the fact that when Dahani got a chance to play in the PSL, his elder brother was still selling fruits on a cart, and their family couldn’t even afford a TV. They used to listen to Dahani’s match commentary on the radio.
Today, Dahani is an important player for the Pakistan national team and earns almost three lakh rupees per match. His journey is a true inspiration among Poor Pakistani Cricketers, proving that talent and hard work can overcome even the toughest challenges. Like many other Poor Pakistani Cricketers, Dahani has shown that dreams do come true with dedication.
7 Abdul Razzaq
Who doesn’t know about Abdul Razzaq, one of the best superstars in the world of cricket? He was a powerful hitter of his generation who smashed even the most famous bowlers. But friends, do you know that he was very poor in his early life?
Razzaq was born in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. He has five siblings. His father used to repair broken machines in a factory. He wanted to give his children a good education, but Razzaq would go to school and come back after playing gilli-danda. He had no interest in studying at all.
At that time, cricket was considered a sport for rich people, because buying a bat and ball cost a lot of money. So, he decided to work at a factory and started saving money to fulfill his dream. After collecting enough money, he finally bought a bat and a ball.
Then what happened? Razzaq started hitting such long sixes that even the viewers were shocked. Soon, he got a chance to play club cricket, and that’s where his cricket journey began.
This story is a great example of how Poor Pakistani Cricketers rise through hard work and passion, even with limited resources. Razzaq’s journey is truly inspiring and shows that even Poor Pakistani Cricketers can reach the top with determination.
8 Asif Ali
Friends, Asif Ali was one of the biggest names in the T20 World Cup, and people around the world started calling him the Universe Boss. Asif Ali played the most important role in taking Pakistan to the semi-finals because he won two matches that Pakistan had almost lost. His sixes snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against New Zealand and Afghanistan.
This is the same Asif Ali who was criticized before the World Cup. But friends, do you know he was born in a poor family in Faisalabad? His father used to work in a factory, and Asif Ali also left his education because of money problems and started going to the factory with his father to support the household.
He had a passion for cricket since childhood. He used to play cricket only on Fridays and worked the other six days. One day, his manager told him, “Either work or play cricket.” On that very day, he said goodbye to his 5,000-rupee job and chose cricket.
It was his passion that turned a child from a poor family into a cricket superstar. Like many other Poor Pakistani Cricketers, his journey was full of sacrifice and determination. The story of Asif Ali proves again that Poor Pakistani Cricketers can reach the top with hard work and belief.
9 Mohammad Irfan
In 2015, Pakistan found a bowler whose height was more than seven feet. He created extra bounce with the ball, which made it difficult for batsmen to play. Although he couldn’t play much cricket for Pakistan, his tall height remained a center of attention for cricket fans.
Friends, do you know he was born in a very small village and had no interest in playing cricket at all? He failed twice in 8th grade, and his father sent him to work in a shoe-making factory. Mohammad Irfan used to earn only ten thousand rupees a month from the factory and played volleyball during his free time.
One day, he played cricket with his friends, and the factory owner saw him playing. After seeing his spirit and talent, the factory owner allowed him to play cricket in the evenings. From there, his cricket career began.
Just like many other Poor Pakistani Cricketers, his journey started from struggle and hard work. His story is another example of how Poor Pakistani Cricketers can rise from nowhere and reach the international stage.
10 Mohammad Asif
The world has forgotten this hero, but legendary batsmen like AB de Villiers and Ponting still remember him. He was a bowler on the cricket field who could swing the ball so much that it would completely destroy the batsmen. He was the one who removed the fear of Shoaib Akhtar, the fastest bowler, and created his own fear with his magical bowling.
But friends, did you know that he belonged to a poor family? He used to work in the fields with his father and feed the buffaloes. Mohammad Asif was so passionate about cricket that he left his studies and saved money just to join a cricket club.
Then, friends, he became such a successful bowler that he left everyone behind. Like many Poor Pakistani Cricketers, his journey was full of struggle. But sadly, the love for money took over his mind. He ruined his career with his own hands, and cricket fans eventually forgot him.
Just like other Poor Pakistani Cricketers, his story reminds us how talent can rise from poverty—but also fall due to bad choices.
FAQs
Q: Where was Muhammad Asif born?
A: Muhammad Asif was born in Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan, a region known for producing talented cricketers.
Q: What made Shoaib Akhtar so fast?
A: Shoaib Akhtar’s is a combination of natural talent, strong muscles and a unique bowling action.
Q: Which team is Shahnawaz Dahani in PSL?
A:Shahnawaz Dahani has represented two different teams in the Pakistan Super League (PSL. Karachi Kings in 2025 and Multan Sultans from 2021 to 2024.
Q: Why did Shadab Khan drop?
A:After Poor performances in Series against West Indies, Shadab Khan was droped.
Q:Which Pakistani cricketer is Shia?
A:Hasan Ali Best Fast bowler of Pakistan Cricket Team is Belongs to Shia’s Family.
Conclusion
The journeys of these Poor Pakistani Cricketers prove that poverty cannot stop true talent. From mud houses, roadside stalls, and factory jobs to cricket stadiums filled with cheering fans, each story is a powerful example of how hard work, courage, and determination can lead to greatness. These cricketers turned their struggles into strength, inspiring countless others to dream big despite humble beginnings. Their lives show that with dedication and passion, even the most challenging circumstances can be transformed into success.
In 2015, Pakistan found a bowler whose height was more than seven feet. He created extra bounce with the ball, which made it difficult for batsmen to play. Although he couldn’t play much cricket for Pakistan, his tall height remained a center of attention for cricket fans.
Friends, do you know he was born in a very small village and had no interest in playing cricket at all? He failed twice in 8th grade, and his father sent him to work in a shoe-making factory. Mohammad Irfan used to earn only ten thousand rupees a month from the factory and played volleyball during his free time.
One day, he played cricket with his friends, and the factory owner saw him playing. After seeing his spirit and talent, the factory owner allowed him to play cricket in the evenings. From there, his cricket career began.
Just like many other Poor Pakistani Cricketers, his journey started from struggle and hard work. His story is another example of how Poor Pakistani Cricketers can rise from nowhere and reach the international stage.