Yousuf Ali: A Bangladeshi labourer's journey to become a Qatar's national team cricketer

The chief regulatory body of cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC), has been promoting cricket worldwide, including in countries where cricket is still not a popular sport. 

Although some Middle Eastern countries, like the UAE and Oman, are entering the big stages of cricket, they have been recruiting players from the Indian subcontinent to play for the team. As a result, most of the cricketers on the Middle East national teams are of Indian, Pakistani, or Sri Lankan descent. 

Recently, Bangladeshis have also entered the international cricket circuit in this way. Meet Mohammad Yousuf Ali, a primary spin bowler for the Qatar national cricket team hailing from Ashasuni village in Satkhira, Bangladesh.

Yousuf's journey began in his village, where his passion for the game overcame financial

constraints. Despite initial challenges, his determination led him to the district town for coaching, where his talent was quickly recognized. 

In 2014, he made his mark in a divisional cricket tournament, scoring a half-century and securing a spot in the Satkhira cricket league.

But fate had other plans for me. Unable to receive support from his poor family, he went to Qatar to work as a labourer in 2017. He lived in Doha, close to the Qatar National Stadium, the home ground of Qatari cricket. 

There, a chance encounter with Pakistani cricketer Faisal opened his doors to local leagues. His consistent performances in the Galfar Al Misnad team caught the attention of Qatar's national selectors, earning him a spot in the Qatar national team.

In December 2022, during the ICC Qualifiers tournament in Malaysia, Yousuf made his international debut against Canada. Despite adversity, including a severe hand injury that kept him out of the game for eight months, Yousuf's spirit remained unbroken. 

His left-arm spin, reminiscent of Bangladesh's cricketing icon Shakib Al Hasan, became a valuable asset for Qatar. Not only did he excel in bowling, but his batting skills also earned him the moniker 'Junior Shakib' among his teammates.

Initially, Yousuf juggled cricket with moving rollers for a living. However, his dedication paid off, and he now serves as a security assistant at the National Industrial Contracting Company. Whenever national duties call, he gets all the help from his colleagues, ensuring his presence in international matches.

Despite the challenges and setbacks, Yousuf's dream remains unwavering: to play for the Bangladesh national team. His journey from the fields of Satkhira to the cricket arenas of Qatar is certainly an inspiring story that will encourage more youths into the game.

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