In Kerala it is said that you can find Malayalis in every corner of the world. Perhaps this reflects the determination of the people of the state to make their presence felt wherever they come and excel in whatever field they choose. Cricket is no exception. Over the years, the likes of Sanju Samson, S Sreesanth, Abey Kuruvilla and Tinu Yohannan have represented India at the highest level.
Now another Malayali is making his own way in international cricket – not with India, but as one of the rising stars of the UAE national team. Alishan Sharafu made his debut for the UAE in 2020, aged just 17.
Sharafu has since become one of the mainstays of the UAE side which is slowly but surely establishing itself on the global stage. At the age of 22, the stylish batsman has already played 28 ODIs and 63 T20Is for the national team. He is also one of the leading local players in the International League T20 (ILT20), representing the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Having featured in the league since its inception in 2022, the ongoing season marks his third campaign with ADKR, the sister franchise of three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders.
While Sharafu is shaping up to be a future cricket star in the UAE, the beginnings of his journey go back to India – and it’s one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket.
Inspired by the heroes of the 2011 World Cup
In an exclusive interaction with India Today, Sharafu revealed that around 2013-14, cricket really became more than just a pastime for him.
“I was born in Kerala but I came to the UAE when I was really young because my dad was working here. So my mum and I came here and then I spent a few years in Abu Dhabi and then we moved to Dubai and then I lived the rest of my life here.”
“If I was to talk about starting cricket, it was in the summer of 2013 or 2014 when I wasn’t doing much, so my mum said, ‘I think he likes cricket, so we’ll send him to cricket training on the weekends’,” Sharafu said.
His rise through the ranks came quickly and before long he found himself knocking on the door of the national set-up. But the real spark that ignited his love for the game came earlier – during India’s historic World Cup triumph in 2011. Sharafu was inspired by India’s World Cup victory in 2011 (Courtesy: ADKR)
With legends like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh along with a young Virat Kohli, the Indian team made history on April 2, 2011 in Mumbai.
“The 2011 World Cup was pretty much, I think my earliest memory of watching cricket, and like any other kid from India, I was just rooting for India and they ended up winning the World Cup, so I think it was fascinating for me just to watch.”
“I played the sport here and there but nothing too serious but that World Cup win inspired me to maybe want to play cricket and from there I kind of grew into the game,” said Sharafu.
The India option that never happened
Sharafu came close to continuing his cricket career in India. As a teenager, he had the opportunity to take part in youth trials in Kerala before the UAE came calling.
“I think I was 15 and I had the opportunity to go and play for the U-16s in Kerala. There were trials and everything and in the end I didn’t go because the same year I was selected for the UAE under-19 side when I was 15, so it was around the same time.”
“If I had to go there then, I would have missed a lot of school and logistically it just didn’t work that much. And of course I was selected to play for the UAE under-19 side, so it was a decision I had to make,” said Sharafu.
Looking back, the decision suits him well. A fusion of multiple cultures, cricket in the UAE provided an environment where intermingling came naturally. He wasn’t even the first Malaysian in the team – CP Rizwan captained the UAE in the T20Is in 2022, while Basil Hameed was also a regular presence.
“I just had to blend in. And I think that’s the beauty of cricket in the UAE. They all play together for a really long time all year round, so once you get into the national side it’s not like nobody’s unknown. It’s not a big place so the cricket is basically played on a few pitches and you said you’ve played with everybody really easily. So I think that helps everybody.
Face India and learn hard
Sharafu finally got a chance to play against India during the Asia Cup. Although the match did not go according to the UAE, he cherishes the experience.
“It was something we were looking forward to. It was more of an opportunity as a team because you’re playing against India, probably the best team in the world.”
“It didn’t go our way, but in terms of experience, it was great. Playing the first ball of our Asia Cup campaign and, you know, Hardik Pandya on his mark, and playing Bumrah, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav – that’s something I’ll remember for a long time,” Sharafu said.
However, one moment is etched particularly clearly – Jasprit Bumrah’s bright yorker.
“I was kind of settled in. I hit a couple of boundaries and a six and it was all working well. But that’s the beauty of him as a bowler. He built me slower, bouncers and then he just went there with that yorker. I think it was just too good a ball to play. I was quite comfortable with that ball, it just did me a lot of good,” said Shara.
The growth of ILT20 and the dream of IPL
As one of the faces of the ILT20, Sharafu believes the league has become a key platform for cricketers in the UAE. In particular, his time at Abu Dhabi Knight Riders gave him confidence – thanks in part to former ADKR coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
“With ADKR, I remember talking to Ryan ten Doeschate, the former coach. He just gave me a lot of confidence to express myself. I didn’t get runs in the first three games, but he kept supporting me, and then in the fourth game I got 80 odds and we won.”
“That was the beginning of me feeling like I belonged here. I’ve enjoyed my time since then and the franchise has really supported me,” Sharafu said.
Given ADKR’s tie to KKR, the IPL question was inevitable – and Sharafu didn’t shy away from it.
“I’d be lying if I said no. So 100% yes, I’d love to play in the IPL. The day I do enough and the day I’m ready to be picked up, there’s no way I’m going to say no,” Sharafu said.
But before this dream comes another milestone — introduction UAE for the 2026 FIFA T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
“I have never played any professional cricket in India. So it will be a new experience. I am really excited but honestly, I don’t know what to expect now,” said Sharafu.
For both him and UAE cricket, the goal is clear.
“I think individually and as a team, the goal is to be present at every big event – the World Cup, the Asian Cup – without having to play the qualifiers every time. I just want to play a vital role in making it happen. We’re going in the right direction. It’s not going to happen overnight, so you have to work at it and hope everything goes well,” said Sharafu.
– The end
Published on:
December 14, 2025
