Mohsen Gilani: Steering Pakistan Football Towards A Historic Future
- 31 Jan - 06 Feb, 2026
In Pakistan, cricket is not just a sport ,it's a passion and an emotion. The bond between the public and the national cricket team players is built on love, affection, and sincerity. In this context, Pakistanis living abroad share the same deep connection and attachment to the national team. In today’s age of technology and social media, distances are shrinking, and even without a major event, cricketers continue to remain the center of public attention.
This trend is only growing stronger. Particularly in a country like the United States, which holds special importance for the global Pakistani diaspora, conversations around cricket are gaining momentum. The ICC T20 World Cup held last year in the West Indies and the USA played a significant role in this regard.
When we talk about cricket in the U.S., one name that stands out is Muhammad Rafi Ali, who has been living in America for the past 30 years. His passion and commitment to cricket have not only kept him connected to the game but have also played a vital role in promoting the sport in the U.S., especially within the Pakistani community. Writing about his contribution wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Under the banner of Amax Events & Management, Muhammad Rafi Ali is now more active than ever. From 2000 to 2008, he gained popularity in Houston as a radio DJ. Since 2019, he has been organizing cricket events in Houston. His dedication, enthusiasm, and professional work ethic have earned the trust of people. Today, top Pakistani cricketers confidently and willingly participate in events organized by Amax Events & Management in Houston, largely due to Rafi Ali’s professionalism and commitment.
He recalls that when he organized his first cricket event in Houston in 2019, public awareness and interest in the sport were limited. But by 2024, when he once again hosted cricket matches and a gala dinner in Houston, the public response was remarkable. He believes that cricket is now spreading and flourishing in the U.S., and the ICC T20 World Cup held in the USA and West Indies last year played a key role in this development.
He hopes this journey continues with star Pakistani cricketers visiting the U.S., meeting their fans, taking photos with them, and strengthening the bond between the Pakistani community abroad and the national team. He envisions Houston becoming a hub for cricket, strengthening ties between the people of Pakistan and the United States through the sport.
Muhammad Rafi Ali is once again organizing T10 matches and a gala dinner in Houston in November 2025. He points out that in Pakistan, people have two main sources of entertainment: cricket and showbiz. With that in mind, he plans to bring together star Pakistani cricketers and celebrities from the showbiz industry to Houston, uniting the community through this unique combination. He is hopeful that this initiative under the Amax Events & Management platform will be successful.
Rafi Ali says that when you start any venture, you're often alone – but eventually, others join and it becomes a collective effort. He is particularly grateful to renowned Pakistani TV actor Faiq Khan, U.S based journalist and event organizer Kamran Jelani, former Pakistan Test captain Younis Khan, all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, and Israr Siddiqui of Tempura Restaurant Houston, whose valuable advice and support have always been with him.
Muhammad Rafi Ali shared that T10 matches and a gala dinner are scheduled for November 12 and 17, 2025, at Moosa Cricket Stadium in Houston. In addition, on September 7, 2025, a special evening will be held at a local hotel in Karachi, where star Pakistani cricketers and showbiz personalities who will be part of the Houston events will gather. During this evening, not only will the upcoming events be discussed, but also experiences from the past few years in Houston will be shared, and audience questions will be answered.
This year, Rafi Ali will be joined by big names in cricket, including former captain Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, and Sarfaraz Ahmed, while the showbiz lineup will feature stars like Fahad Mustafa and Aijaz Aslam.
COMMENTS