On the eve of Valentine’s Day 2026, while Delhi was caught in its ritual of rehearsed romance, Sohaib Khan was reconnecting with a different kind of love—the love for cricket and the city that shaped his dreams. At the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Khan’s brilliance under pressure helped UAE secure just their second-ever T20 World Cup win, chasing down 151 against Canada with a blistering 51 off 29 balls. Three days later, he followed it up with a clinical 68 against Afghanistan, demonstrating his growing stature on the global stage.
Khan’s cricketing roots trace back to Kothi in Gaya, Bihar, where limited facilities and backyard practice with his elder brother Altamash laid the foundation for his passion. Inspired by the likes of Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, and MS Dhoni, Sohaib transitioned from tennis-ball cricket to formal coaching at Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi, determined to chase bigger dreams.
Despite excelling in district-level tournaments and selection camps for the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, opportunities in India remained elusive. Life took a turn during the 2020 pandemic. Newly married and facing family responsibilities, Khan moved to Dubai in 2021, balancing multiple jobs while playing cricket in domestic leagues under the Emirates Cricket Board. His relentless perseverance finally paid off as he broke into the UAE national team, earning recognition as a core member of the squad.
Sohaib credits much of his journey to the unwavering support of his wife and family, and the birth of his daughter six months ago coincided with his One-Day International debut—a milestone he calls his lucky charm. His journey from Gaya’s sun-baked streets to Delhi’s floodlights and the UAE’s cricketing core is a story of resilience, sacrifice, and the triumph of talent against all odds.
Today, Sohaib Khan is not just a player; he is an inspiration for young cricketers dreaming beyond borders, proving that determination and faith can turn distant dreams into global success.
