From Gujranwala to Global Records: The Unlikely Rise of Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar
NEW DELHI – In 2004, the Twenty20 format was a nascent concept in England, yet to disrupt the global sporting economy. That same year, a 17-year-old Saad Bin Zafar boarded a flight from Gujranwala, Pakistan, to Canada. His objective was academic survival, not athletic stardom.
“When we moved to Canada in the beginning, the sole reason was for me to get a good education,” Saad revealed in an exclusive interview. “My parents, especially my dad, used to tell me to focus on my studies… That’s the sole reason we decided to move you to Canada.”
Two decades later, Saad stands as a cornerstone of Canadian cricket. The left-arm orthodox spinner and reliable lower-order batter anchored the national team as captain during their historic campaign at the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, marking the nation’s debut in the tournament proper.
A University Student’s Pastime Turned Professional
Unlike many contemporary stars groomed in high-performance academies, Saad’s pathway was traditional. He prioritized his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Toronto, treating cricket as a recreational outlet in the local Super 9 league.
His transition to the national setup was turbulent. Following his debut in 2008, he faced seven years of selection inconsistency.
“From 2008 to 2015, I was on and off in the team. I used to be picked and then dropped,” Saad admitted. “I was a youngster… trying to make my place.”
By 2015, however, he cemented his role as a primary spin option, eventually evolving into a leadership figure who would guide Canada back to One Day International (ODI) status in 2023.
The World Record: 4-4-0-2
In November 2021, Saad etched his name into the history books during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier. Against Panama, he delivered a spell of bowling previously thought impossible in the game’s shortest format.
He bowled his full quota of four overs without conceding a single run, finishing with figures of 2 wickets for 0 runs. He remains the first bowler in T20 International history to achieve this feat.
Saad Bin Zafar: Key Career Statistics
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Economy | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20 International | 45+ | 43+ | 5.90 | 2/0 (World Record) |
| List A | 55+ | 70+ | 4.20 | 5/31 |
The Corporate-Cricket Balancing Act
For the majority of his tenure, cricket in Canada offered no financial security. Saad sustained his career by working as a procurement analyst for an insurance firm, often using vacation days to represent his country.
“It was very difficult at the start,” he recalled. “When a company would start bothering me [about time off], I used to find another job. But I didn’t leave cricket.”
The turning point arrived in 2018. After earning Player of the Match honors in the Global T20 Canada (GT20) final and securing contracts with franchises like the St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), he resigned from his corporate role to pursue cricket full-time.
Leading Canada to the World Stage
Saad’s leadership peaked during the 2024 T20 World Cup cycle. As captain, he brought stability to a squad blending veteran experience with youth. His father, once skeptical of cricket’s viability, eventually became his staunchest supporter.
“Eventually, when I got a call-up in the national team… my parents started believing that I am talented enough to represent Canada,” Saad said. “They now feel proud.”
While the leadership torch has since been passed, Saad remains a vital asset for Canada, focusing on grooming the next generation of talent for the 2026 qualification cycle.