Arafat Minhas: Pakistan's Complete All-Rounder and Rising Cricket Star

Arafat Minhas: Pakistan's Complete All-Rounder and Rising Cricket Star

Series-Deciding Performance in Lahore

In a high-stakes One-Day International (ODI) tri-nation series final, 21-year-old all-rounder Arafat Minhas delivered a match-winning batting performance under pressure at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Facing Sri Lanka on Saturday under floodlights, Pakistan were in a precarious position at five wickets down, needing 125 runs from 79 balls.

Walking in alongside Hasan Nawaz, Minhas stabilized the innings. With Pakistan needing 39 runs from 27 balls, Minhas hit a crucial six off Dasun Shanaka, sparking a recovery. He finished with an explosive 61 runs off just 31 balls, including five sixes, to guide Pakistan to the trophy and earn the player of the series award. Across the tournament, his key contributions included:

• Batting: 149 runs, including two half-centuries.
• Bowling: 9 wickets in the series.

Historic All-Round Feats on Debut and Beyond

Minhas's rise to prominence is built on historic all-round displays. On his ODI debut against Australia in May, he took 5 wickets for 32 runs, becoming the first Pakistani to claim a five-wicket haul on debut, and won the player of the series award.

His standout performance came against England in Rawalpindi on October 10. After scoring 59 off 58 balls to help Pakistan post 302-9, Minhas dismantled the English batting lineup, taking 6 wickets for 40 runs to bowl England out for 215, securing an 87-run victory. This feat made him only the third Pakistani player—after Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq—to score a half-century and take five or more wickets in a single men's ODI.

• England Captain Harry Brook expressed surprise at Minhas's young age, asking, "Is he under 21? I didn't know."
• Former England Captain Nasser Hussain praised him as the ideal modern all-rounder, noting, "Mike Hesson wants all-round cricketers and he’s found one in Arafat Minhas."

Family Support and the Rooftop Training Ground

Minhas's development was heavily shaped by his family, particularly his father, Kashif. Kashif, a former under-19 cricketer from Multan who was forced to abandon his sporting dreams to manage the family car showroom, identified his sons' natural talent early on.

To keep their training going during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, Kashif constructed a dedicated practice facility on the rooftop of his home in Multan, complete with a net, a mat pitch, and floodlights. This setup allowed Arafat to hone his left-arm spin and batting skills, transitioning from a childhood desire to bowl fast to becoming a highly skilled left-arm spinner with excellent control.

The Future of the Minhas Family in Pakistani Cricket

Arafat's success has paved the way for his younger brothers. Sameer Minhas, a promising right-handed opening batter, recently scored 405 runs in seven matches in his first season of first-class cricket and was named in Pakistan's Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka in November. The youngest brother, Abdullah, is also pursuing cricket as a left-handed batter and leg-spinner.

Kashif's ultimate dream is to see all three of his sons play together for Pakistan and win an international ICC trophy, a goal that would complete the family's cricketing journey. Arafat remains focused on continuous improvement, stating that his ultimate goals are still far ahead.