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Iftikhar Ahmed (Chacha) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

Quick Info

Date of birth3 September 1990

Age34 Years

BirthplacePeshawar, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan

ProfessionCricketer (Allrounder)

NationalityPakistani

Marital statusMarried

FamilySon - 1; Daughter - 1

Iftikhar Ahmed (Chacha) Biography

Iftikhar Ahmed, popularly known as Chacha-e-Cricket or Ifti Chacha, is a Pakistani allrounder noted for powerful hitting and useful off-spin. Born in Pesh‑

Early life and background

Iftikhar Ahmed was born on 3 September 1990 in Peshawar, North‑West Frontier Province, Pakistan. Raised in Peshawar, he developed an early interest in cricket and progressed through local inter‑district competitions before establishing himself in domestic and international cricket. He is commonly known by the nicknames Chacha‑e‑Cricket and Ifti Chacha.

Career

Iftikhar is a right‑handed batter who bowls right‑arm off‑break. His domestic career spans many regional and departmental sides, including Nowshehra, Federally Administered Areas, Peshawar, Water and Power Development Authority, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and several regional teams such as Rawalpindi, Sindh, Punjab and Islamabad. He has also featured for numerous franchise sides across global T20 leagues, including Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United, Quetta Gladiators, Galle Gladiators, Colombo Strikers, Mis Ainak Knights, Bangla Tigers, Surrey Jaguars and Fortune Barishal.

Iftikhar made his ODI debut for Pakistan on 13 November 2015 against England, his T20I debut on 4 March 2016 against Sri Lanka and his Test debut on 11 August 2016 against England. He has represented Pakistan at multiple levels, including Pakistan‑A and Pakistan Shaheens, and toured with Pakistan‑A and other representative sides.

At domestic level he moved through the formats gradually: early appearances include inter‑district matches for Nowshehra and Federally Administered Areas, first‑class outings for Peshawar and later for WAPDA and Sui Northern Gas. He has produced notable domestic scores—among them a first‑class century of 127 and a Pakistan Cup century for Sindh. In List A and T20 tournaments he has delivered match‑winning contributions across teams and seasons.

In franchise cricket he has been active worldwide. He debuted in the Pakistan Super League with Karachi Kings in 2016 and later played for Peshawar Zalmi, helping them to the 2017 PSL title. He was part of Karachi Kings’ 2020 title run, and has represented Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators in subsequent PSL campaigns. In Lanka Premier League action he debuted for Galle Gladiators in 2022 and was signed by Colombo Strikers for the 2023 season. He played for Mis Ainak Knights in Afghanistan’s Shpageeza League and represented the Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10. In 2023 he captained the Surrey Jaguars in the Global T20 Canada and played for Fortune Barishal in the Bangladesh Premier League, where he recorded a first T20 century (100 not out) against Rangpur Riders.

International highlights and records include significant lower‑order partnerships and milestone performances. He and Shadab Khan set Pakistan’s highest sixth‑wicket partnership in T20Is (82 runs) against South Africa on 3 November 2022. On 17 April 2023 he and Faheem Ashraf put together Pakistan’s highest eighth‑wicket T20I stand (82) versus New Zealand. During the 2023 Asia Cup he scored his first ODI century, an innings of 109 against Nepal on 30 August 2023, becoming the second‑oldest Pakistani to reach an ODI hundred at 32 years and 361 days. He also recorded his maiden ODI five‑wicket haul on 1 November 2020, taking 5 for 40 against Zimbabwe.

In the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia he played seven matches, compiling 114 runs at a strike rate of 122.58 and producing two half‑centuries — 51 off 34 balls against India and 51 off 35 balls against South Africa.

Public profile

Iftikhar is known for aggressive, power‑hitting batting and for a flamboyant on‑field style that earned praise from senior players. His popularity grew in the early 2020s as he produced big hits and match‑shaping performances. He is also associated with the affectionate moniker Chacha‑e‑Cricket, a nickname that originated from a team‑room exchange during a match against Zimbabwe and has been embraced by teammates and family.

Off the field, he has been active in supporting cricket development in his home area and has helped construct a stadium in his village to provide opportunities for underprivileged children. He has engaged with fans on social media, routinely using the nickname IftiMania in interactions.

Latest updates

Recent years saw a string of franchise commitments and global appearances: a Golden Visa for Dubai was granted in March 2023; he played in the 2023 Lanka Premier League for the Colombo Strikers after a 2022 stint with Galle; he captained Surrey Jaguars in Global T20 Canada 2023; and he continued to be a sought‑after signing in T20 competitions worldwide. His performances in 2022–2023 included record partnerships for Pakistan, his maiden ODI century in the Asia Cup and a T20 century in the Bangladesh Premier League.

Personal life

Iftikhar is married and a father to two children, one son and one daughter. He is a practicing Muslim, follows a non‑vegetarian diet and counts New Zealand as a favored holiday destination. Physically he is listed at approximately 178 cm in height and around 70 kg in weight, with black hair and black eyes.

Career overview

Iftikhar Ahmed’s journey from inter‑district cricket in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to international and global franchise cricket reflects steady development as a batting allrounder who can change the course of a match with big hits and useful off‑spin. His domestic consistency, franchise mobility and landmark international moments in 2022–2023 have solidified his standing as an influential middle‑order performer for Pakistan and a familiar face in T20 leagues around the world.

Recent Work

109 vs Nepal (ODI)

Scored his first ODI century, 109 runs, during the 2023 Asia Cup.

2023
100* vs Rangpur Riders (T20)

Scored his first T20 century, 100 not out, for Fortune Barishal in the 2023 BPL.

2023
Surrey Jaguars (Global T20 Canada)

Played for and captained Surrey Jaguars in the 2023 Global T20 Canada League.

2023

Career Highlights

  1. ODI debut for Pakistan on 13 November 2015 vs England
  2. T20I debut for Pakistan on 4 March 2016 vs Sri Lanka
  3. Test debut for Pakistan on 11 August 2016 vs England
  4. Maiden ODI five‑wicket haul: 5/40 vs Zimbabwe on 1 November 2020
  5. First ODI century: 109 vs Nepal on 30 August 2023
  6. Key record partnerships in T20Is: highest 6th‑wicket and 8th‑wicket stands for Pakistan
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Iftikhar Ahmed (Chacha) born?

3 September 1990

What is Iftikhar Ahmed (Chacha) known for?

Cricketer (Allrounder)

What is Iftikhar Ahmed (Chacha)’s marital status?

Married