PakPassion continues to bring its members and guests information on the upcoming talent in Pakistan. This time we catch up with Lahore-based bowler Emmad Ali.

Name: Emmad Ali

Age: 19 years

Place of Birth: Lahore

Nickname: Maddy

Major Teams: Lahore Lions, Lahore Eagles, Lahore Ravi, Lahore Shalimar

Batting Style: LHB

Bowling Style: Left arm Fast-medium

Getting into cricket: Initially, I went to simply play tape ball cricket, close to home there is a ground. I was bowling in a match and a coach saw me. He asked whether I play cricket professionally and I told him that I didn’t play at all. He stated that he saw something in me and I should begin playing cricket. I didn’t believe him at the time. I was only 16-17 when this took place.

Early Days: I began my career with club cricket. The club I played for was the "Sansana" Gymkhana Cricket Club. Slowly, I began working hard with the coach (Nasir Siddiqui) and started improving my game. He told my parents that “give me six months with him and I will have him fully prepared”. 

Family Support: My parents were apprehensive, but they asked me for my opinion on the matter of playing cricket as a profession. I agreed with the coach and I just fully devoted myself to cricket. All I could think about was cricket, day and night.

Under-19s Cricket: I started playing under-19 cricket with Lahore West Zone. Sadly, there were some issues in Lahore and the club closed down. I went ahead and joined Universal Club and played all of my under-19 cricket for them.

First Class Cricket: I was selected by Lahore Shalimar based on my performances at the grade two level of cricket. My club sent my performance lists to the LCCA, who took my trials and I passed them. I showed good performances in the one day matches after that and I got selected for the team.

Role Models Growing Up: Wasim Akram. I never watched anyone but him because he was a great left arm bowler.

Favourite Ground: Multan Cricket Stadium.

Favourite Current Pakistani player: Umar Gul

Toughest Opponent: No one, yet. I hope no one in the future, either.

Top Bowling Speed: I had it measured at the department, it was 140 KPH.

Hobbies outside cricket: I love playing snooker.

Opinion on Upcoming Faysal Bank Tourney: I will be playing for the Lahore Eagles. I hope we can put in a good performance and we are working hard to build a strong team. There will be some good players in the side like Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali and Imran Farhat.

Future Ambitions: The only goal is to play for the national team at the highest level. The rest is up to Allah.

Biggest Supporters: Nasir Siddiqui has to be right at the top. He has backed me from the start and I will never forget what he’s done for me. Plus, there are the players at the club such as Faiz bhai, Ijaz Butt (club member) and Naveed Sufi. There is also Shahid Anwar, he has helped me a lot along the way and still continues to do so.