The U21 Cricketers in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

Red-ball cricket has long been considered the true test of a player’s skill, temperament, and character. For Pakistan, a nation with a proud yet turbulent cricketing history, the future of its Test setup depends heavily on how well it can nurture young talent through the domestic system.

The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy — Pakistan’s premier First-Class competition — remains the ultimate breeding ground for the next generation of Test cricketers.

This year’s edition carries added significance. Following some confusion and controversy over team qualifications from the Hanif Mohammad Trophy, the final squads for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy were announced just a day before the tournament’s scheduled start — though persistent rain delayed the action.

In an important move aimed at youth development, the PCB has mandated that every participating region must include at least one player under the age of 21 in their playing XI. Some sides have gone beyond that, opting to field two or even three U21 players to strengthen their bench for the future.

These young cricketers are more than just a regulatory inclusion — they represent the foundation upon which Pakistan’s red-ball future could be built. Some have already tasted First-Class success, while others are taking their first steps in senior cricket. Together, they form an exciting glimpse into what could be the next wave of talent for Pakistan.

Let’s take a closer look, region by region, at the under-21 players competing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Abbottabad

Shahzaib Khan

Former Pakistan U19 opener Shahzaib Khan is the only U21 player in Abbottabad’s squad. He will be playing under the guidance of his captain, Fakhar Zaman, a seasoned professional and international star.

Shahzaib already has experience in seven First-Class matches, six of which came for SNGPL, and just one for Abbottabad. In that solitary match for his region, despite limited opportunities, he showed resilience — particularly in the fourth innings against a strong Islamabad side, where he faced 64 balls for his gritty 16 runs in a chase exceeding 400.

During the President’s Trophy, Shahzaib batted with a strike rate of 46, highlighting his composure and maturity at a young age. After a quiet start to this year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, he bounced back in style, scoring 76 runs in an innings that featured a 100+ opening stand with Yasir Khan and a 50+ stand with Fakhar Zaman.

Bahawalpur

Mohammad Ammar

A promising and reliable middle-order batter from Rahim Yar Khan, Mohammad Ammar is a name to keep an eye on. In just five First-Class matches, he already boasts an average above 41.

During Bahawalpur’s three victories in last year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Ammar averaged 37 and registered two fifties in three games — one of them coming against eventual runners-up Peshawar. Often trusted with key positions in the lineup, he usually batted at number 3 or 4.

Ammar was instrumental in Bahawalpur’s promotion to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the previous Hanif Mohammad Trophy, with two centuries and two fifties. Continuing his fine form, he began this season with a century at number 3 against Abbottabad.

Faisalabad

Faham-ul-Haq Khan

Often labeled as a “product of nepotism,” Faham-ul-Haq has been under scrutiny from fans. His record so far — a batting average of 12 and a bowling average of 37 in four First-Class games — hasn’t helped change that perception.

However, Faham made a strong case for himself in the Inter-District Competition, where he scored over 350 runs in his first four innings, including a century and two fifties. A part-time right-arm seamer, he also contributed with the ball in the same tournament.

In this year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, he began impressively, taking three wickets in the opening game (including Omair Bin Yousuf’s scalp) and then following up with a half-century against Sialkot in the second round.

FATA

Mohammad Farooq

Mohammad Farooq, a 20-year-old batter from Kurram Agency, is partnering with Mohammad Naeem for FATA. While this is his first appearance in First-Class cricket, he previously represented his region in the National T20 Cup, where he impressed with a quickfire 51 off 26 balls against AJK.

Islamabad

Raja Hamza Waheed

Young right-handed opener Hamza Waheed hails from Islamabad but made his First-Class debut for OGDCL rather than his home region. In five First-Class matches so far, he has registered a century and a fifty — both in a standout performance against the Higher Education Commission.

In the second round of this season’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, he struck a brisk 60 against Bahawalpur.

Shamyl Hussain

A record-breaking Pakistan U19 star and standout performer in the Pakistan Junior League, Shamyl Hussain continues to build his reputation despite facing unjustified criticism over alleged favoritism.

With more than 700 runs in 11 First-Class matches, including two centuries, Shamyl has shown maturity beyond his years. After a slow start in last year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, he bounced back in the President’s Trophy, scoring 727 runs in eight matches for champions PTV.

He also impressed during the Pakistan Shaheens’ tour of England with a couple of fifties in multi-day games. Carrying that form into this season, Shamyl scored 86 in his opening innings, though he followed up with a few low scores.

Karachi Blues

Fahad Amin

Right-arm pacer Fahad Amin, from Karachi, made his First-Class debut last year, taking six wickets in two matches against Quetta and Lahore Blues. Although he struggled in the President’s Trophy while representing HEC, he ended the campaign strongly with a five-wicket haul against OGDCL, dismissing players like Hasan Raza and Khayam Khan.

Haroon Arshad

Just 19, Haroon Arshad has already turned heads with a century on his First-Class debut. Before that, he represented Pakistan U19 at the 2024 World Cup and was a key part of Karachi Whites U19 under Saad Baig, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer behind his captain.

Haroon’s adaptability was also on display in the National T20 Cup, where he played two valuable knocks in the 40s — once complementing an attacking Shan Masood, and another time taking charge himself.

Saad Baig

Saad Baig first gained attention with an unbeaten 251 in a City U19 match in 2022, before captaining Pakistan U19 later that year.

He made his First-Class debut for Pakistan Shaheens in 2024 but didn’t get to bat. His regional debut also didn’t yield much success initially, but he soon found form in the President’s Trophy, finishing as one of the top wicket-keepers with multiple fifties for Khan Research Labs.

Lahore Whites

Ubaid Shah

For Lahore Whites, having Ubaid Shah as their U21 player is a luxury. Tall, quick, and able to extract bounce, he’s an exciting package.

Although his First-Class debut wasn’t ideal — conceding over 100 runs for a solitary wicket — Ubaid came back strongly, taking 18 wickets in his next two matches of last year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He later carried that form into the President’s Trophy with Ghani Glass, where he claimed 28 wickets in six matches, finishing among the top 10 bowlers.

Mohammad Salman

Mohammad Salman is a tearaway pacer, the likes of which have often been successful in Pakistan, but often for a short period of time.

He broke into the scene last year with Lahore Whites, finishing among the tournament’s top 10 bowlers. His performances earned him a place with SNGPL in the President’s Trophy, where he once again ranked among the best pacers — second only to Mir Hamza in average and strike rate.

Salman’s notable moment came in the Champions T20 Cup, where he dismissed Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Shahzad, and Mohammad Sarwar in his debut spell.

Multan

Mohammad Ismail

Consistent young pacer Mohammad Ismail first made his mark in the Pakistan Junior League, representing the Gwadar Sharks. His breakthrough came in last year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, where he took 10 wickets in his first two matches, including three five-wicket hauls in the tournament.

He dismissed seasoned players such as Israrullah, Waqar Ahmed, and Iftikhar Ahmed, and later impressed for State Bank in the departmental circuit, finishing the season with 63 wickets in 14 matches — the second-highest by any pacer in the country.

Mohammad Shan

A 19-year-old seamer from DG Khan, Mohammad Shan is yet to make his First-Class debut but has already shown promise. In the Hanif Mohammad Trophy, he took 10 wickets in just two matches and previously picked up five wickets for Southern Punjab 2nd XI in 2022. Tall and athletic, he generates bounce and pace with ease.

Peshawar

Mohammad Abuzar

Making his debut for Peshawar in this year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Mohammad Abuzar is a tall pacer capable of bowling at 140+ km/h. He made an immediate impact by dismissing Mohammad Hurraira and Aashir Mahmood with short-pitched deliveries on debut.

Mohammad Irfan

Left-arm spinner Mohammad Irfan, just 20, came through Peshawar’s U19 ranks before excelling in the President’s Trophy Grade II for MIT Solutions. He was among the top 10 spinners in the competition and took three five-wicket hauls in five games, including dismissals of Azan Awais and Ali Razzaq twice.

Najab Khan

A 21-year-old leg-spinning all-rounder from Charsadda, Najab Khan has represented Pakistan U19 and played for MAQ Group in the President’s Trophy Grade II, where he took six wickets and scored a fifty in four games.

Sialkot

Afzaal Manzoor

At just 20, Afzaal Manzoor from Nankana Sahib has already played 10 First-Class matches. A key member of Sialkot’s title-winning squad last year, he also represented WAPDA in the President’s Trophy.

Afzaal was the top wicket-keeper in terms of dismissals in last year’s tournament, and this season he’s already added nine more in just three matches.

Ahmed Hasan

Fast-bowling all-rounder Ahmed Hasan, a former Pakistan U19 player, is yet to make his First-Class debut but impressed in the President’s Trophy Grade II for MIT Solutions. In just five matches, he scored two centuries at an average of 55 and a strike rate of 91, while also taking two wickets in limited bowling opportunities.

About the Author: Zaid Babar Khan

Data geek, Cricket fanatic, Haris Rauf and Lahore Qalandars fan and an article writer

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