Haider Cricket Club completed a remarkable domestic season, capping off championship winning campaign built on outstanding leadership, consistent performances, and an unwavering team spirit. At the heart of the department success was captain Ali Imran Zaidi (born 27th September 1994), whose leadership and contributions with the bat proved instrumental in guiding Haider CC to the title.
From the opening fixture to the Trophy deciding final, Ali Imran Zaidi led by example. His tactical awareness, calm decision-making, and ability to inspire those around him created a winning culture within the squad. More importantly, he consistently backed up his captaincy with valuable performances on the field, delivering whenever his team needed him most.
Zaidi has represented teams : SSGC, Pakistan Customs, Narowal Kings, Comilla Warriors, Lahore Ravi, 11 ACE, Warriors CC, Hounslow & Whitton CC and Bessborough CC Middlesex.
As a batter, Ali Imran Zaidi was one of Haider CC’s most dependable performers throughout the campaign. Whether rebuilding an innings after early wickets or accelerating when the situation demanded, he repeatedly produced crucial runs under pressure. His composure, determination and ability to absorb pressure gave Haider CC confidence in difficult situations and played a significant role in several important victories throughout the season.
The defining moment of his campaign came in the President Trophy final. In the second innings, with the match delicately poised and the pressure at its peak, Ali Imran Zaidi produced one of the finest knocks of the season. His determined innings secured stability and a match winning lead for Haider CC, shifting the momentum firmly in their favor and laying the foundation for a memorable title winning performance. It was a captain’s innings in every sense one that will be remembered as one of the pivotal moments of the final.
Haider CC’s batting strength, however, was built on collective excellence. Shahbaz Kiani produced several influential innings under pressure, often stepping up when the team needed him most. Jawad Ahmed provided reliability and composure, anchoring the batting line-up with mature and consistent performances throughout the campaign. Faizan Niazi impressed with his positive stroke play and ability to score freely in crucial situations, while Salman Azam added valuable runs throughout the season, ensuring the batting unit remained one of the strongest and most dependable in the competition. The bowling unit was equally impressive. Imran Khan consistently delivered key breakthroughs with disciplined spells, Ali Roman troubled opposition batters with his accuracy and attacking mindset, while Najeeb ullah produced crucial wickets at important stages of matches, helping Haider CC keep control throughout the tournament. Among the standout performers was Asfandyar Khan, whose exceptional all-round displays gave the side tremendous balance. Whether contributing valuable runs, claiming important wickets, or lifting the team’s intensity in the field, he played a significant role in Haider CC’s championship winning campaign.
Although the title was achieved through a complete team effort, Ali Imran Zaidi’s influence remained at the centre of Haider CC’s success. His ability to combine intelligent leadership with consistent batting performances through out the trophy made him the driving force behind the department’s memorable season. He not only captained the side with distinction but inspired every member of the squad by leading from the front throughout the campaign.
One of the defining features of Haider CC’s President Trophy II silver winning campaign was the philosophy on which the squad was built. Under the vision of department’s president Syed Muhammad Raza, the team was assembled entirely on merit through open trials, giving every cricketer an equal opportunity to earn a place in the squad. Raza has remained a firm advocate of a transparent, professional approach to professional cricket, believing that performances not reputations should determine selection. His commitment to promoting a merit based culture and raising professional standards laid the foundation for the team’s success.
Haider CC’s championship triumph will be remembered as a season defined by resilience, unity, professionalism, and belief. Built on a foundation of merit, guided by the vision of president Syed Muhammad Raza, and inspired by the outstanding leadership of captain Ali Imran Zaidi. Supported by outstanding contributions from the batting unit, a disciplined bowling attack, and impactful all-round performances, Haider CC emerged as worthy champions and one of the standout teams of the domestic championship.
Speaking after the title winning campaign, club president Syed Muhammad Raza praised the entire squad and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to merit and professionalism. He stated that Haider CC was founded on the principle that every cricketer deserves an equal opportunity through transparent open trials, with performances alone determining selection. He congratulated captain Ali Imran Zaidi, Head Coach Raafey Hashmi, the players, Assistant coaching staff, and everyone associated with the team for embracing this vision, adding that the championship was a reward for hard work, discipline, and unity. Raza expressed hope that Haider CC’s success would encourage more teams to adopt a merit based, professional culture, believing that such an approach is the key to producing stronger teams and contributing positively to the future of domestic cricket.
Instagram handles of Haider CC & Ali Imran Zaidi : @hcchaidercricket & @iamaz14