With the countdown underway for Pakistan’s red-ball domestic season, excitement is mounting among cricket fans and selectors alike as they identify new talented Pakistani cricketers.
The Hanif Mohammad Trophy, renowned for unearthing future Test stars and providing a true test of skill and temperament, is set to begin on August 15, with matches scheduled across Karachi, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan.
This year’s competition promises to be especially intense, as players vie not only for silverware but also for a chance to catch the eye of national selectors ahead of a busy international calendar.
In this context, I’ve put together a playing XI featuring standout talents and rising prospects you’ll want to follow closely as the red-ball season unfolds.
Disclaimer: This XI will not contain players that are obvious such as Azan Awais or Ali Raza, the purpose of this piece is to highlight youngsters that do not get much hype.
Abdullah Fazal
Abdullah Fazal, a left-handed batter from Karachi known for his aggressive play against spin, made a notable impression in his debut season.
He accumulated 316 runs in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and added another 465 runs in the President’s Trophy, quickly establishing himself as a reliable presence at the top of the order.
Across 12 First-Class appearances in these competitions, Abdullah registered six scores of fifty or more, highlighted by a commanding century against a formidable FATA bowling lineup featuring the likes of Shahid Aziz, Asif Afridi, and Sirajuddin.
His knock of 129 in that match accounted for nearly half of his team’s total of 259, underlining his ability to anchor the innings under pressure.
Consistent performances throughout the President’s Trophy also saw him finish among the tournament’s top ten openers, marking him as a player to watch in the coming season.
Shamyl Hussain
Shamyl Hussain’s recent selection for the Pakistan Shaheens’ tour of England has sparked some debate, with critics attributing his inclusion to his father’s political connections.
However, such claims overlook the merit of his performances on the field. After a challenging start in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy last season, Shamyl rebounded impressively in the President’s Trophy, playing a pivotal role in PTV’s title-winning campaign.
He finished as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer, showcasing his resilience and ability to deliver under pressure.
Notably, in his final three innings of the competition, Shamyl registered two crucial half-centuries, including a vital knock during a fourth-innings chase in the final against a strong State Bank bowling attack featuring Mohammad Abbas, Kashif Bhatti, Niaz Khan, and Mohammad Ismail.
His consistent performances were instrumental in PTV’s success and fully justified his selection for the national setup. Shamyl’s recent performances make him one of the Pakistani cricketers that have the ability to perform at the big stage.
Mohsin Riaz
Hailing from the Sialkot Region, Mohsin Riaz demonstrated remarkable growth in his game during the 2024-25 season.
After a modest debut campaign, Mohsin emerged as a key contributor for Sialkot, particularly in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy where his performances took center stage.
Forming a formidable partnership with Azan in the top order, Mohsin played a pivotal role in Sialkot’s title-winning run, consistently providing solid starts and building momentum for the team.
His composed half-century in the final proved vital, helping to anchor the innings and secure the trophy for Sialkot. Mohsin’s progress over the past season has firmly established him as a player to watch in domestic cricket.
Mohammad Awais Zafar
At just 25 years old, Sargodha’s Awais Zafar has quickly made a name for himself in domestic cricket, drawing inspiration from his idol, Virat Kohli.
Awais was among the top 22 run-getters in both the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the President’s Trophy during the 2024/25 season, amassing an impressive 854 runs at an average of 53.4.
His consistency was matched by his ability to convert starts into big scores, registering three centuries and three fifties over the course of the season.
Notably, all four of his 50-plus scores in the President’s Trophy came in the second innings, with three of them achieved in high-pressure fourth-innings situations, highlighting his temperament and reliability when it matters most.
Adding to his value, Awais showcased remarkable versatility by batting at every position from one to six, underlining his adaptability and importance to the team’s lineup.
Maaz Sadaqat
Maaz, a versatile batter who has already adapted to multiple positions in his brief First-Class career, continued to impress as a key member of the President’s Trophy squad alongside Awais Zafar.
His standout performances in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy saw him finish as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer, trailing only Azan Awais, who was in exceptional form throughout the season.
While Maaz registered just one century, his consistency was evident with six half-centuries, three of which came in the crucial closing stages of the competition, including pivotal knocks in both the final and the triangular stage.
In the final group match against Rawalpindi, Maaz not only contributed with the bat but also made an impact with the ball, claiming three wickets, including the prized scalps of Umer Amin and Shadab Khan.
His all-round abilities and adaptability have quickly established him as a valuable asset in the domestic circuit and one of the most talented young Pakistani cricketers in the circuit.
Khayyam Khan
At just 23, Khayyam Khan has already begun to make his mark as an aggressive wicket-keeper batter, representing Abbottabad in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and OGDCL in the President’s Trophy.
Over the course of seven matches in these competitions, Khayyam amassed 458 runs at an impressive average of 41.6, maintaining a brisk strike rate of 69.6.
Renowned for his confident strokeplay, he has shown particular proficiency with the sweep shot, especially when facing left-arm spinners, as demonstrated in his encounters with Ahmed Safi Abdullah and Ali Usman.
Khayyam’s ability to score quickly and handle spin effectively makes him a promising prospect in the wicket-keeping department.
Shahid Aziz
While Shahid may be recognized by some for his appearances with Multan Sultans, it’s his all-round performances in the First-Class arena that have truly set him apart.
Over 10 matches last season, Shahid showcased his dual talents by claiming 35 wickets at an impressive average of 21.7, while also contributing valuable runs lower down the order with an average of 23.7 and two half-centuries to his name.
One of his standout batting efforts came on a challenging, spin-friendly surface against Ghani Glass, where he compiled a fluent 85 off 103 deliveries against a quality spin trio of Nauman Ali, Mohammad Rameez Jr, and Shadab Khan.
With the ball, Shahid’s ability to consistently clock speeds around 140kph adds another dimension to his game, making him a genuine asset in both departments and one of the Pakistani cricketers to look out for.
Mohammad Ismail
Mohammad Ismail initially caught attention with his performances for the Gwadar Sharks in the PJL and later earned multiple caps for Pakistan U19, but it was this past First-Class season that truly marked his breakthrough.
Emerging as one of the standout fast bowlers, Ismail finished the 2024/25 campaign with the second-highest wicket tally among pacers, claiming six five-wicket hauls across 14 matches.
What set his performances apart was his knack for striking even after the shine had worn off the new ball, consistently making inroads during the middle and later stages of an innings, a quality that bodes well for his future prospects.
Afaq Afridi
Afaq Afridi, known for his tall and slender frame, made a significant impact despite limited opportunities in the last First-Class season.
Featuring in just five matches, he managed to pick up an impressive 26 wickets at a remarkable average of 13.8. His effectiveness isn’t confined to the longer format as Afaq also made his mark in T20 cricket, notably claiming a five-wicket haul and a hat-trick in the Champions T20 Cup.
While he may not possess express pace, it’s his height and precise control over line and length that set him apart, often making life difficult for opposing batters and giving him a distinct advantage on the field.
Arshadullah
Arshadullah stands out as a tall left-arm fast bowler who made a significant mark last season by being the only left-armer to surpass the 50-wicket milestone.
Utilizing his height to generate awkward bounce with a back-of-a-length approach, Arshadullah consistently troubled batters throughout the campaign.
What makes him even more dangerous is his ability to unleash a sharp inswinging yorker with the new ball—a weapon once reminiscent of Shaheen Afridi—that adds a potent dimension to his skill set and makes him a genuine threat in any conditions.
M Rameez Jr.
Mohammad Rameez Jr. remains one of the few leg spinners consistently delivering in Pakistan’s red-ball circuit. While not among the youngest on the scene, his experience has proven valuable, echoing the belief that spinners often mature with age.
Although he couldn’t quite replicate his standout performance from the 2023/24 season, Rameez still managed to claim 24 wickets in just seven matches during a campaign largely dominated by fast bowlers.
His efforts highlight the ongoing challenges faced by spinners in domestic cricket, where conditions often favor pace and opportunities for emerging talents are limited.
The sporadic appearances of promising youngsters like Mehran Mumtaz, who featured in only two matches for different teams, further underscore the need for a more balanced approach to nurturing spin talent within the domestic structure.
Rameez is one of the stand-out Pakistani cricketers in the circuit and selectors have a keen eye on his performances,
Playing XI:
| 1. | Abdullah Fazal | Batter | Left-handed |
| 2. | Shamyl Hussain | Batter | Left-handed |
| 3. | Mohsin Riaz | Batter | Right-handed |
| 4. | Mohammad Awais Zafar | Batter | Right-handed |
| 5. | Maaz Sadaqat | Spin-bowling all-rounder | Left-handed |
| 6. | Khayyam Khan (wk) | Wicket-keeper batter | Right-handed |
| 7. | Shahid Aziz | Pace bowling all-rounder | Right-handed |
| 8. | Mohammad Ismail | Medium fast | Right-handed |
| 9. | Afaq Afridi | Medium fast | Right-handed |
| 10. | Arshadullah | Medium fast | Left-handed |
| 11 | Mohammad Rameez Jr. | Leg-spinner | Right-handed |
About the Author: Zaid Babar Khan
Data geek, Cricket fanatic and an article writer.
