06/10/2026
Happy Birthday to the legendary Shahzad Altaf! Today, October 6, marks the birthday of one of the most defining pillars of cricket in the United Arab Emirates.
Here is an incredible story of his journey from a World Cup hero to the godfather of UAE grassroots cricket:
The Bukhatir LeDevelopment:e:
Before the 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup, Shahzad Altaf wasn't initially being considered for the UAE's historic squad. Refusing to back down, he stepped onto the pitch during a local Bukhatir League match and delivered a staggering, near-impossible bowling spell of 8 wickets for just 17 runs. The selectors had no choice but to include him. At 38 years old, he went to the World Cup as the oldest and most trusted medium-pace bowler in the entire UAE squad.
The World Cup Masterclass:
During the 1996 World Cup, Shahzad became a master of economic bowling. His crowning glory came in a crucial match against the Netherlands, where he gave away a mere 15 runs in his entire 10-over spell, taking the vital wicket of Dutch opener Nolan Clarke to lead the UAE to victory. A year earlier, he produced a similar masterclass in Sharjah against a formidable Indian team, turning in figures of 10 overs for just 12 runs (including 5 maidens) against iconic batsmen like Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly.
The Father of UAE Youth Development
While his playing days were legendary, his true legacy began in 1998 when he established the MS YTCA Cricket Academy (Young Talents Cricket Academy). Shahzad completely transformed the landscape of cricket in the Emirates, turning his academy into a massive production line for the national team. He famously coached and provided early opportunities to a significant chunk of later UAE World Cup squads, and his annual junior tournaments even hosted future international superstars like Ben Stokes. Furthermore, he and his son, Rameez Shahzad, made history by becoming the very first father-son pair to represent the UAE at the international level.
