A Mission Beyond Himself
Amirhamza Hotak’s mission is ambitious and inspiring. A cricket champion from Afghanistan, he is in a stage in his life in which his main goal, besides personal triumph, is elevating others and lifting his sport in the United States.
After competing on the world stage with Afghanistan in World Cups, Asia Cups, and international leagues, Hotak now dreams to use his knowledge to help the USA not only grow cricket at home but also become competitive internationally. “I want to work for the development of American cricket. I want to prepare the structure of the USA cricket, as I want to work with USA A and the emerging team U19, because they are the backbone of USA cricket and the future of the USA cricket team,” he explains.
Building American Cricket from the Ground Up
Hotak’s approach is both practical and visionary. He insists on creating more fixtures for youth, exposing them to “different types of situations” so they can grow. He wants the U.S. to invite international teams to play on American soil, giving young players the chance to test themselves at higher levels. Watching the local talent in the United States, he sees enormous potential. “With dedication, guidance, and these incredible players, American cricket can achieve ODI status, compete with the best, and shine as brightly as any nation,” he says with conviction.
Preserving Spin Bowling’s Legacy
What makes Hotak’s contribution unique is not only his experience but also his choice to focus on spin bowling, a style that has been overshadowed in the modern game by fast bowlers and power hitters. Hotak believes spin remains essential and he has developed his own variations to prove it. “Before every game, I carefully study the weaknesses of the batsmen and design strategies to exploit them,” he says. “With the right plan and execution, I can dismiss key players, shift the momentum, and turn the game.” By passing these techniques on to American cricketers, he is preserving a craft that many fear is disappearing from the sport.
From Poverty to the World Stage
His journey, however, was far from easy. Born in Nangarhar, Afghanistan, on August 15, 1991, he grew up in poverty, facing insecurity and constant obstacles. “Poverty, economic struggles, and the difficult state of cricket in Afghanistan made life extremely challenging. Security problems added to the hardships, and at that time, overcoming such obstacles seemed impossible for any Afghan,” he remembers. Yet he persisted, training anywhere he could and holding on to the aspiration of representing his country. That dream came true: he played for Afghanistan’s U15, U19, A team, and national team, competing against the strongest sides in the world.
Giving Back in the United States
Now, in the United States, Hotak wants to ensure young cricketers don’t have to face the same barriers he did. His motto remains unchanged: “No pain, no gain.” Through coaching at academies, mentoring in Minor League Cricket, and guiding Afghan Zwanan as player and coach, he is showing young Americans that hard work, focus, and belief can transform lives.
“I hope to inspire the cricket community by hard work and believe anything is possible,” he says. “Every game is a new opportunity to prove yourself. Life will test you with lots of challenges, but patience and hard work are your greatest weapons.”
A Legacy in Motion
Amirhamza Hotak has already made his mark in Afghanistan and across international cricket. Now he is determined to make his biggest contribution in the United States by teaching, building, and inspiring a new generation of cricketers who will carry the game forward.
