Cricketer Abid Ali struggles with medical costs following ACS diagnosis and contract expiry

"Fellow cricketers and PCB officials no longer even answer my calls."; Ali was sidelined after ACS diagnosis in 2021.

During a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match at Karachi’s National Stadium, cricketer Abid Ali complained of discomfort in his shoulder and chest after completing a half-century.

Concerned by his condition, the team management rushed him to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a heart condition.

As Abid lay in the hospital bed, he reflected on his long and difficult road to the national team, wondering what would happen next.

Despite years of consistent performances, Abid, now 31, had only recently earned his Test debut after a 12-year domestic career, scoring 7,116 runs in 106 first-class matches.

Abid's journey to the national team was not easy. He often faced setbacks due to favoritism, missing out on earlier opportunities. After strong performances in domestic cricket and a double century in a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match, he was finally given a Test cap.

He scored a century on his debut, becoming the first cricketer in the world to achieve centuries in both his Test and One-Day International debuts.

However, just as things seemed to be falling into place, his heart condition sidelined him. Despite recovering and regaining fitness after angioplasty, Abid was never called back to the national team.

In a recent conversation with a journalist, Abid expressed his disappointment, sharing that even his fellow cricketers and officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) no longer respond to his calls. He revealed that his domestic contract had ended, leaving him to arrange for his own medical treatment.

When asked why he wasn’t playing in the Champions Cup, Abid explained that an official told him players over 35 were not allowed to participate. However, despite being perfectly healthy and active, he continues to be overlooked.

The situation raises questions about the inconsistent treatment of cricketers based on age. Abid pointed out that other senior players like Sarfaraz Ahmed, Nauman Ali, and Umar Amin still participate in matches, while Misbah-ul-Haq played Test cricket until he was 43.

This suggests a double standard, where some players are allowed to continue regardless of age, while others like Abid are sidelined.

Though Abid’s domestic performance has dipped since his return, he still remains a skilled player, better than many currently active cricketers. He now plays in leagues in England to make a living, as opportunities in Pakistan continue to elude him.

In contrast, cricketers like Salman Butt, despite being involved in match-fixing scandals, enjoy careers in commentary and media.

Abid’s case highlights a broader issue in Pakistan’s cricket system, where talented players often go unnoticed due to a lack of connections or opportunities. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, known for valuing merit, has been urged to look into Abid’s situation and consider giving him another chance in events like the Champions Cup.

If not for the national team, at least providing him with a role for his livelihood could be a step toward ensuring that deserving players are not forgotten.