✦ Celebrity stories, facts and career updates. Explore F4U now →

Home › Biography › Ali Khan (Cricketer)

Ali Khan (Cricketer) biographyFeatured Biography

Image source: StarsUnfolded

Athletes

Ali Khan (Cricketer) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 3, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth13 December 1990

Age29 Years (as in 2019)

BirthplaceAttock, Punjab, Pakistan

ProfessionAmerican Cricketer (Bowler)

NationalityAmerican

Marital statusUnmarried

Ali Khan (Cricketer) Biography

Muhammad Ahsan Ali Khan, known as Ali Khan, is a fast bowler who represents the United States. Born in Pakistan, he developed his pace playing tape-ball as

Early life and background

Muhammad Ahsan Ali Khan was born on 13 December 1990 in Attock, Punjab, Pakistan. He grew up playing tape-ball cricket in Pakistan and has cited fast bowlers such as Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Brett Lee among his early influences. As a child he practised bowling relentlessly, even bowling against a wall when there was no one else to play with.

At age 19, in 2010, Ali Khan and his family moved to the United States. Initially he had not expected to pursue cricket in America, but a local club match in Dayton, Ohio — where his pace and accuracy drew attention — helped revive his cricketing ambitions. In his first years in the U.S. he balanced playing in local club matches with working at a cellular company.

Career

Ali Khan’s breakthrough at a higher level came in September 2015 when he was selected in the 15-member ICC Americas squad for the NAGICO Regional Super50 tournament in the West Indies. He made his List A debut for the ICC Americas side against Jamaica in January 2016. His performances in franchise cricket followed: Guyana Amazon Warriors signed him for the 2016 Caribbean Premier League, and on his CPL debut he dismissed Kumar Sangakkara with his first delivery.

Injuries have been a recurring challenge in his career; a hamstring problem ended his 2017 CPL contract with Guyana Amazon Warriors and contributed to concerns about his fitness. He staged a notable comeback in 2018, playing in the US Open T20 in Florida and earning a place with the Winnipeg Hawks in Global T20 Canada after Dwayne Bravo recommended him. That year he also returned to the CPL with the Trinbago Knight Riders.

Ali Khan has since appeared for many franchise teams around the world, including sides in the Pakistan Super League, Bangladesh leagues, and other T20 competitions. He is known for raw pace — frequently bowling above 140 kph — and his preferred delivery is the yorker, a reason for the nickname "Yorker-Machine." He bowls right-arm fast-medium and bats right-handed.

A landmark moment for his international career came on 27 April 2019, when Ali Khan made his One Day International debut for the United States in the ICC Cricket League Division 2. In that crucial match, which had implications for the USA’s ODI status, he produced a five-wicket spell of 5/46 that helped secure victory and confirm ODI status for the United States.

Khan had long held a dream of playing in the Indian Premier League and had entered the IPL auctions in 2019 and 2020 without being picked. In September 2020 he was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for an overseas fast bowler who withdrew from the tournament, making him the first American cricketer to earn an IPL contract.

Public profile

Ali Khan holds American nationality and is listed as unmarried. He is sometimes described by the nickname Yorker-Machine. He has played for numerous domestic and franchise teams over his career, including Bengal Tigers, Delhi Bulls, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Kabul Zwanan, Karachi Kings, Khulna Titans, Trinbago Knight Riders, Vancouver Knights and Winnipeg Hawks. He has worn jersey number 23 for the USA.

Physically, he is approximately 180 cm tall (about 5 ft 11 in) with black hair and black eyes. Throughout his career he has been recognized for his pace and wicket-taking ability: the ICC named him among five breakout stars for 2018, and ESPNcricinfo shortlisted him for associate bowling performer of 2019 after his 5/46 against Namibia.

Personal life

Ali Khan was born in Pakistan and later became an American national. Publicly available information lists his religion as Islam. Details about his parents and sibling are not specified in the available records. He remained unmarried as of the latest details in the excerpt.

Latest updates

After performing effectively in franchise competitions and international fixtures for the United States, Ali Khan achieved a career milestone in September 2020 when he joined Kolkata Knight Riders as an IPL replacement player. That signing made him the first cricketer from the United States to be awarded an IPL contract.

He continues to be noted for his ability to bowl fast yorkers and for his journey from tape-ball matches in Pakistan to international and top-level franchise cricket around the globe.
◈

Recent Work

One Day International debut for USA

Made ODI debut on 27 April 2019 and took 5/46 to help the USA secure ODI status.

2019
Signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL)

Joined KKR as a replacement player in September 2020, becoming the first American cricketer to earn an IPL contract.

2020
✦

Career Highlights

  1. Selected in ICC Americas squad for the 2015 NAGICO Regional Super50 tournament
  2. Dismissed Kumar Sangakkara with his first ball on CPL debut (2016)
  3. Named among ICC’s five breakout stars for 2018
  4. Took 5/46 in 2019 to help USA gain ODI status
  5. First American cricketer signed by an IPL franchise (KKR, 2020)
?

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Ali Khan (Cricketer) born?

13 December 1990

What is Ali Khan (Cricketer) known for?

American Cricketer (Bowler)

What is Ali Khan (Cricketer)’s marital status?

Unmarried