Why did Emmad Irfani quit cricket after training with legends

Dreams can be big, but they can all shatter with a single injury. For actor Emmad Irfani, an ankle injury ended his hopes of becoming a cricket star alongside legends like Aamer Sohail and Waqar Younis.

In a recent interview on Mazaq Raat, hosted by Imran Ashraf, the star reflected on his journey from aspiring cricketer to a celebrated actor, revealing the heartbreaking reason he had to let go of his first love, cricket.

“I played at the junior level, but injuries are inevitable in fast bowling. Life is all about timing,” Irfani shared. While training under his coach, Imtiaz Ahmed, he practised alongside cricketing legends Aamer Sohail, Saeed Anwar, and Waqar Younis.

He was just one step away from securing a spot on the national team when an ankle stress fracture sidelined him indefinitely.

“The healing time was 12 to 18 months. In such a competitive field, being away for that long wasn’t wise. I realised I had to let go of my dream,” the Jaan-e-Jahaan actor explained.

Imtiaz Ahmed encouraged Irfani after a tough training camp, telling him, “The reason for sending you [to the camp] was to make you realise that you are not too far behind.”

But despite the reassurance, the injury marked the end of his cricket aspirations.

Reflecting on that tough period, Emmad Irfani said, “It was difficult. I suffered but learned a lot. Life taught me that nothing stays permanent; everything is temporary.”

 Earlier, actor and model Emmad Irfani has captivated audiences for years with his looks and remarkable acting talent.

During the interview with Haute Talk the host asked the former supermodel about the tragic death of his son. “You went through a personal tragedy, and I don’t know how comfortable you are talking about it, but could you share how it impacted your work?”

Getting emotional about his son Zaviyar’s passing, Emmad replied,
“Yes, his death did affect my work. And I will just say don’t cry because it’s worse, smile because it just happened. He was an angel sent from the heavens. Before that, I think he taught me a lot about life; before that, I was snowboarding through life. After becoming a father, I realized why I was here, and I believe that this is the power of true unconditional love. You work on yourself, you become better, and you realize that there are people who depend on you. He came for a specific purpose, and he wanted to tell me to make something out of myself.”