The recent international tours by Pakistan Shaheens have thrown a spotlight on several young, uncapped cricketers. Here are five names poised to make an impact on the Pakistan national team.
Mehran Mumtaz
Mehran Mumtaz, a talented young cricketer, played for Pakistan in the Under-19 World Cup held in the West Indies in 2022. He has quickly risen through the ranks, showcasing his skills and becoming one of the promising players in Pakistan’s cricket scene. At just 20, his bowling brilliance illuminated Pakistan Shaheen’s recent tour of Zimbabwe, where he snagged a staggering 15 wickets in just two four-day matches, including two five-wicket hauls. His outstanding exploits garnered him a well-earned place in Pakistan’s training camp for the Sri Lanka tour.
His contributions were pivotal during the recently concluded Emerging Asia Cup, where he played a key role in Pakistan Shaheens’ victory over arch-rivals India A. In the final against India A, Mehran grabbed two crucial wickets, decimating the opposition alongside Sufiyan Muqeem after setting a formidable target of 353 runs. Pakistan Shaheens triumphed with a dominant 128-run margin, reducing India to a mere 224 runs in 40 overs.
With immense promise and outstanding performances under his belt, the cricketing world eagerly awaits the rise of this talented young bowler from Kohat.
Omair Bin Yousuf
Karachi-born Omair bin Yousuf, a gifted 24-year-old batsman, idolizes the legendary Muhammad Yousuf. Fueled by a dream to emulate his hero on the international stage, Omair’s dedication is reflected in his stellar performances.
During Pakistan Shaheen’s Zimbabwe tour, Omair was the leading run-scorer in the red-ball series, amassing 348 runs across three innings, including an unbeaten 250 in the opening match. His performance in the white-ball series was equally remarkable, where he secured 275 runs over four matches, earning his maiden List A century with a commanding knock of 153 in the fourth match.
Omair’s performances have garnered the attention of Pakistan’s cricketing elites, including captain Babar Azam, who hailed him as one of Pakistan’s rising stars. With 183 runs across five innings in the ACC Men’s Emerging Cup, including a notable half-century, it seems only a matter of time before Omair’s dream of representing Pakistan at the international level becomes a reality.
Haseebullah Khan
Hailing from Pishin, Haseebullah Khan burst onto the scene at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup as Pakistan’s second-highest run-scorer. Not only a prolific batsman, Haseebullah showcased his skills behind the stumps, taking eight catches and completing two stumpings in the tournament.
Post-World Cup, he debuted in List A cricket for Balochistan during the 2021-22 Pakistan Cup, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 614 runs over 12 innings, propelling Balochistan to the title. Haseebullah’s achievements earned him a place in the national squad for the New Zealand series in December 2022, a testament to the national selectors’ belief in his potential.
In 2023, Haseebullah represented Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 8, where his aggressive batting earned him a notable half-century. Continuing his fine form on Pakistan Shaheen’s Zimbabwe tour, he accumulated 221 runs across six one-day games, establishing himself as a future mainstay in Pakistan cricket.
Qasim Akram
Qasim Akram, a young all-rounder who idolizes Muhammad Hafeez, dreams of representing Pakistan on the world stage. As the captain of the Pakistan U19 team in the 2022 ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, Akram made history by being the first player to score a century and take five wickets in one match.
Beyond the U19 World Cup, Akram has continued to make waves. He played for Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and was a crucial figure during Pakistan Shaheen’s tour of Zimbabwe. In the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, Akram added another feather to his cap, taking his first List A five-wicket haul against UAE A.
Qasim Akram has accomplished impressive feats at a young age, making him a talented individual who is sure to excel on the international scene in the near future.
Muhammad Hurraira
Sialkot-born Muhammad Huraira, a 21-year-old batting sensation, has consistently showcased his prowess in Pakistan’s domestic circuit. He topped the run-scoring charts in the last two editions of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, becoming the only player to cross 1,000 runs in the 2022-23 season. His 1,024 runs at an average of 73.14, including four centuries and two half-centuries, were instrumental in Northern’s first-class title win.
Huraira continued his rich vein of form on Pakistan Shaheen’s Zimbabwe tour, scoring 178 and 64 in two matches against Zimbabwe A. One of his most notable achievements came in the 2021-22 season when he became the second-youngest Pakistani batter to score a first-class triple century with a remarkable 311 off 343 balls.
Though he didn’t make the playing XI on the Test tour to Sri Lanka, Huraira’s selection is a testament to the belief Pakistan’s selectors have in his future as a national team star.
These five rising stars represent Pakistan’s bright cricketing future, each bringing their unique flair and talent to the table. As they continue to develop and showcase their potential, the next generation of Pakistan cricket looks promising.
