Calgarian heads down under to represent Canada in cricket

A Calgarian is living his childhood dream after being chosen to represent Canada in an upcoming international cricket competition.

“I never thought, honestly, near the age of 50 I would get a chance to represent Team Canada at the national level in the game of cricket,” says Nizar Punjani.

But some dreams do come true.

Later this month, alongside three athletes from B.C, eight from Ontario, one from Prince Edward Island, and five others from Alberta, Punjani will showcase his talent and dedication on the global stage.

His passion for cricket began when he was just five or six, when he first picked up the bat while playing with his uncles while growing up in Pakistan, where cricket is a beloved national pastime. The influence of one particular uncle played a pivotal role in his determination to pursue the sport at a professional level.

When Punjani immigrated to Canada about a decade ago, he feared his ambition to play cricket at the professional level might fade. At that time, the sport was not widely played in Alberta with the sport’s presence largely limited to cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

Despite these challenges, Punjani remained determined to pursue his passion, eventually finding a way to continue his journey in the sport. His initial concerns proved to be unfounded.

Over the past eight years, the sport has seen significant growth in the province. The rise of more than 100 cricket clubs, driven by the influx of international students and a growing passion for the game, has contributed to its widespread popularity.

Today, cricket is thriving not only in Alberta, but across Canada, continuing to gain momentum and attract new players and fans.

Starting on March 31, Punjani will compete alongside teams from the United States and New Zealand, marking a significant milestone in his athletic career. This competition presents a rare and incredible opportunity for the Calgary athlete.

“I’m very excited, but as days are upcoming with only three week left before we depart, I’m a little anxious,” he says

If Punjani performs well in the upcoming international cricket series, he could earn a spot in the next world series scheduled for later this year. Should he be selected, he could face his home country, Pakistan. This potential matchup would be a significant moment in Punjani’s career, highlighting not only his talent and dedication, but also the unique and personal nature of competing against his homeland in such a prestigious event.

“Yes, that would be a mystery towards the end of the year,” he says. “In December 2025 over 40 teams will compete in the competition and, if I get selected, I will head to my home country for the world series and Pakistan will be a team in front of us.”

“But, I hope both Pakistan and Canada won’t face each other, but we shall see what will happen.”

Punjani stresses that cricket is far from an individual sport and more than just a game.

He says it highlights the essential role of collaboration between players, coaches, and team managers in driving success — a collective effort to achieve a goal, underscoring the importance of unity and teamwork in the pursuit of excellence in the sport, and also, life.

“Cricket is not a single person’s game, it is a team sport,” he says. “No matter how good you are individually it requires us to work together. And that’s why coaches and team managers are able to bring out the best from the players.”