Top 10 Rising Pakistani Cricketers in 2025

Introduction

Cricket in Pakistan is more than just a sport—it’s a passion, a national obsession, and a source of unity. Over the years, Pakistan has produced legendary cricketers like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Babar Azam. As we step into 2025, a new generation of cricketers is rising, bringing fresh energy and talent to the national team.

With the evolution of T20 leagues, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and an improved domestic structure, young players now have a solid platform to showcase their skills. This article explores the top 10 rising cricket stars in Pakistan who are expected to lead the next era of Pakistani cricket. These players have shown immense potential in domestic and international matches, and they are poised to make a lasting impact on the game.

Why Rising Stars Matter for Pakistan’s Cricket Future?

Pakistan has always been known for producing cricketing superstars from humble backgrounds. The system thrives on raw talent, hard work, and passion rather than just infrastructure. Over the years, the national team has seen fluctuations in performance, mainly due to the transition between generations.

With modern-day cricket becoming increasingly competitive, Pakistan needs young cricketers who can adapt to different formats, perform under pressure, and play with a fearless mindset. These rising stars are not only the future of Pakistani cricket but also potential global cricket icons.

Let’s dive into the list of the top 10 rising cricket stars of Pakistan in 2025.

Top 10 Rising Cricket Stars of Pakistan in 2025

1. Saim Ayub – The Prodigious Opener

Saim Ayub has been a revelation in Pakistan’s domestic and T20 circuits. At just 21, he has already showcased his skills as a stylish left-handed opener with a wide range of strokes. His ability to anchor innings while also playing aggressive shots makes him an ideal candidate for the national team.

🔹 Performance Highlights:

Leading run-scorer in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in the last two seasons.
Played match-winning knocks in PSL 2024, drawing comparisons to Saeed Anwar.
Despite a recent ankle injury, he remains a key player for Pakistan’s future.

🔹 Future Prospects: Once recovered, Saim is expected to become Pakistan’s permanent opener in all formats, providing the team with stability and aggression at the top.

2. Mohammad Hurraira – The Consistent Run-Machine

Hailing from Sialkot, Mohammad Hurraira is a name that has been making waves in the domestic circuit. A technically sound right-handed batsman, he has been scoring centuries with remarkable consistency.

🔹 Performance Highlights:

Top run-scorer in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023 & 2024.
Averages over 50 in first-class cricket, a rare feat in Pakistan.
Excellent temperament, reminiscent of Azhar Ali and Younis Khan.

🔹 Future Prospects: Hurraira is being groomed for the Test and ODI formats, where his ability to build innings will be crucial for Pakistan’s middle order.

3. Abbas Afridi – The All-Round Sensation

A young all-rounder with exceptional talent, Abbas Afridi has become one of Pakistan’s most promising cricketers. His ability to bowl at a good pace and finish games with the bat makes him an invaluable asset.

🔹 Performance Highlights:

Impressive PSL performances, often taking key wickets.
A reliable lower-order batsman, known for power-hitting.
Part of Pakistan’s U-19 World Cup-winning squad.

🔹 Future Prospects: Afridi has the potential to become a key all-rounder for Pakistan, filling the void left by Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik.

4. Mohammad Wasim Jr. – The Pace Prodigy

Fast bowling is Pakistan’s biggest strength, and Mohammad Wasim Jr. is the latest sensation. His ability to generate raw pace and swing the ball has drawn comparisons to young Waqar Younis.

🔹 Performance Highlights:

Consistently bowls at 140+ km/h.
Impressive T20I performances, troubling top-order batsmen.
Played crucial roles in Pakistan’s last few international series.

🔹 Future Prospects: With Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf leading the attack, Wasim Jr. is expected to be the third pacer in Pakistan’s future pace trio.

5. Qasim Akram – The Emerging All-Rounder

Qasim Akram is Pakistan’s answer to the modern-day all-rounder. He can bat anywhere in the order and bowl crucial off-spin overs, making him a rare commodity.

🔹 Performance Highlights:

Captain of Pakistan’s U-19 team, leading them to multiple victories.
Consistently scores crucial runs in domestic tournaments.
Handy off-spin bowler, capable of breaking partnerships.

🔹 Future Prospects: Qasim Akram has all the ingredients to become Pakistan’s future ODI and T20I captain.

6. Mohammad Haris – The Dynamic Wicketkeeper-Batsman

Modern cricket demands wicketkeepers who can contribute heavily with the bat, and Mohammad Haris is the perfect fit. His aggressive batting and safe hands behind the stumps make him a top prospect.

🔹 Performance Highlights:

Explosive performances in the Pakistan Super League.
Sharp wicketkeeping skills, ensuring reliability behind the stumps.
Scored match-winning knocks in domestic cricket.

🔹 Future Prospects: Haris could be Pakistan’s next full-time wicketkeeper-batsman, replacing Mohammad Rizwan in the long run.

7. Arshad Iqbal – The Emerging Fast Bowler

Fast, accurate, and fearless, Arshad Iqbal has been a standout performer in the PSL and domestic cricket.

🔹 Performance Highlights:

Played crucial roles for Karachi Kings in PSL.
Bowls with good control and economy rate.
Can bowl both with the new and old ball.

🔹 Future Prospects: With further grooming, Arshad could be Pakistan’s go-to fast bowler in T20Is.

8. Haider Ali – The Explosive Batsman

Haider Ali burst onto the scene with his fearless batting, and despite inconsistencies, he remains one of Pakistan’s brightest talents.

🔹 Performance Highlights:

Memorable T20I debut, scoring a half-century.
Dominated domestic T20 leagues with a strike rate above 140.
Developing his game to suit longer formats as well.

🔹 Future Prospects: Haider Ali is being groomed as Pakistan’s middle-order enforcer, much like Fakhar Zaman.

9. Haseebullah Khan – The Young Sensation

One of the most promising young openers in Pakistan, Haseebullah Khan has impressed everyone with his technique and temperament.

🔹 Performance Highlights:

Stellar performances in U-19 cricket.
Scored back-to-back centuries in domestic one-day tournaments.
Technically strong, often compared to Babar Azam.

🔹 Future Prospects: With the right exposure, Haseebullah Khan can be Pakistan’s future anchor batsman in ODIs.

10. Kamran Ghulam – The Domestic Giant

Kamran Ghulam has been the best domestic batsman for the last three years, yet he remains underrated.

🔹 Performance Highlights:

Broke the record for most runs in a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy season.
Consistently scored big hundreds in first-class cricket.
Proven performer in pressure situations.

🔹 Future Prospects: Kamran Ghulam is ready to step into Pakistan’s Test and ODI teams, providing stability to the middle order.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s cricket future looks bright, thanks to these rising stars. With the right guidance and opportunities, they can take Pakistan cricket to new heights. The next decade belongs to this new generation, and fans have every reason to be excited.