Five Questions with.... Huzaifa Yousafzai

As the 2025 season looms, a fresh chapter is being written at Acton Cricket Club. For the first time in eight years, there's a new leader at the helm of the 1st XI. Sahil Kher steps aside, handing over to Huzaifa "Haz" Yousafzai - the club’s youngest ever 1st XI captain. A standout performer over the past two seasons and one of Middlesex’s brightest young batting talents, Haz now leads a hungry, youthful squad into the new campaign. Ahead of his captaincy debut, he steps up to the crease for our long-running Five Questions feature.

1. How and when did you join Acton?

Well I never really joined, I was practically born here and started tagging along with my dad and uncle on Saturdays and training nights until I started playing with Sven (Anthony Hunt) in the U9s. It all started from there.

2. What is your proudest Acton moment so far?

My proudest Acton moment has to be my first match as 1st Team skipper, standing in for Sahil during 2024. It was away at Harrow Town and I scored 91*, with the team having been 20 odd for 5, before watching AB and the rest spearhead us to 12 points victory.

3. Who has been your toughest Acton opponent?

My toughest opponent is Khawar Khazmi from Harrow St Mary’s. Incredibly wiley and skillful left arm spinner who gets me out twice every year - some years even three times.

4. Who is the best player you’ve played with?

The best player I played with at Acton has got to be James O Niell. He’s the most destructive player I have played with and have seen him destroy many attacks at will. The best player I have ever played with in all cricket is probably Aaryan Sawant, now an England U19 and Middlesex 1st Teamer.

5. And finally, what is your all time Acton XI?

1. James O’Neill

2. Lucas Carlisle

3. Sahil Kher

4. Huzaifa

5. Yasir Mehmood

6. Divyanshu

7. Raj Raiker

8. Ben Birtles

9. Alex Brennan

10. Mushi Rauf

11. Josh Fisher