Saleem Raza, the man who hit six sixes in an over in WC 1996 is struggling for survival

Most people who watched the 1996 World Cup would remember a certain Saleem Raza. The man from the United Arab Emirates made a mark for himself in the team’s first-ever appearance in the World Cup. He is famous for hitting six sixes in an over in the match against the Netherlands, the fact that he got his team over the line in that match made the feat further memorable. However, 22 years from then, UAE’s World Cup hero is struggling for survival.

He hails from Lahore, Pakistan and made his ODI debut for the Men in Green against India in Sharjah, 1994 but soon moved to the UAE. At present, he is 54, has no permanent job in hand and a large family to feed. Raza is the only earning member in the family with four daughters, six sisters of which two are dependent on him and have nine children. He is himself ill, being a diabetic with a weakening eyesight.

He is in immediate need of help and expressed his current situation where he is living in Pakistan with no jobs and too many mouths to feed. Raza mentioned that two individuals have helped him a lot Abdul Rahman Bukhatir and UAE cricket team captain Sultan Zarawani.

“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 diabetic patient. I have a big family to take care of and I’m the only person who is supporting them,” Raza was quoted as saying by Khaleej Times.

The World Cup hero

UAE were playing the first One-Day International match against the Netherlands in the WC 1996 which was also the maiden ODI between two associate teams. Saleem was back to his home country, Pakistan playing the game at Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore.

He made the most of the opportunity and played a match-winning knock of 84 from 68 balls. The highlight of not only his innings but of the entire match was the six sixes he hit in an over.

However, it was not the highest point of his career, he had a dream run in the ICC Trophy 1994 in Kenya. The right-hander was a really consistent all-rounder and put up a brilliant display both with the bat and ball. In the tournament, he scored 286 runs and bagged 14 wickets to be named the Player of the Tournament.

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