1996 World Cup Star Saleem Raza Faces a Financial Crunch

Cricketers suffering from financial issues is a rarity in the modern times. And in the current generation, such professionals are paid whopping salary and it has become one of the richest professions in the contemporary times.

However, it wasn’t the same scenario some 20-30 years ago. There used to be a time when a player used to get INR 250 for a Test match. The players treated the game more of a passion rather than a way of earning money.

For a player who had hit six sixes in an international match, it will be very hard for him to live without earning next to nothing.

From the highs of 1996 World Cup where he represented the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the quadrennial event, Saleem Raza has seen some severely low days. He smashed six sixes against the Netherlands in the World Cup.

Raza is without a job and is suffering from diabetes. Very little is left for him and he is facing a huge difficulty in feedings his family. Unfortunately, he is the sole earner of his family. He will turn 54 next month and has almost lost his eyesight.

Raza finds himself in a pathetic situation and it will dishearten anyone who loves cricket. He has to take care of his four daughters and six sisters. Two of them are widowed already.

Well, Being the sole breadwinner of their family it is becoming increasingly difficult for Raza to deal with the situation.

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Saleem was the hero for UAE in the World Cup. His innings helped UAE pull off a sensational victory. It was the first ever official ODI between the two Associate Nations.

Interestingly, it was played in his place of birth, Lahore. He scored 84 off 68 deliveries against the Netherlands. However, it proved to be his last match. In all, he played six matches for UAE.

Furthermore, Raza made his debut against India in 1994. He also scored 286 runs and bagged 14 wickets in the ICC Trophy in Kenya. Raza was awarded the Player of the Tournament.

Saleem Raza had earlier worked with several companies:

Raza had earlier worked with GAMCO, ADAT and Etihad Airways from 1990 before he moved out of Pakistan last year.

“Abdul Rahman Bukhatir and UAE captain Sultan Zarawani helped me a lot in my career. Now, I’m in Pakistan and I don’t have any work. My eyes are not working properly and I am a diabetic patient. I have a big family to take care of and I’m the only person who is supporting them,” said Raza.

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