Born on November 2, 1981, Arif is a left-handed medium-fast bowler. He played for the Gujranwala Cricket association and made his first-class debut against Hyderabad in 2002. Arif has also played for Sialkot in both the FC league as well as the Faysal Bank T20 championship.

Married to a Danish citizen, Arif was eligible to play in the United Kingdom. He played for the Rawtenstall Cricket Club in the Lancashire league, and also played for Sussex in the England county championship.