Faheem Ashraf

Faheem Ashraf is a bowling all-rounder, who plays for Pakistan national team. He is a right-arm medium-fast bowler and a handy lower-order batsman who has the capability to clear the boundary ropes with ease. 

Ashraf aspired to become a fast bowler, but it was his lower-order pinch-hitting that brought him to the international circuit. It was in the year 2016 when Ashraf grabbed everyone’s attention with his all-round abilities. He grabbed 19 wickets in the domestic ODI series and was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. 

The Punjab-born was eventually rewarded with a maiden international call-up as the pacer was included in the squad to play against West Indies. However, he did not feature in any of the matches. 

Ashraf caught the eyes of the world in a warm-up game before the Champions Trophy 2017. The big hitter slammed 64 off just 30 deliveries against Bangladesh and completely blew them away. Finally, Ashraf got a chance in the playing XI in the same tournament against Sri Lanka, where he picked up two wickets and bowled at a quick pace to rattle the Lankan batters.

In the same year, Ashraf took a T20I hat-trick against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi to seal a series victory for his team. He became the first Pakistani bowler, and sixth overall to clinch a hat-trick in a T20I.

Ashraf was roped in by Islamabad United for the 2018 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Islamabad United won the tournament and Ashraf was the key player for them. He took 18 wickets and scored crucial runs in crunch moments for his side. For his excellent bowling performance, Ashraf was awarded the best bowler of the tournament.

In January 2021, the all-rounder was selected in Pakistan’s Test squad to face South Africa. In the second Test of the series, Ashraf proved his all-round abilities with a match-winning knock of (78*) in the first innings to propel a series victory for Pakistan against a strong South African team.

Ashraf belongs to a breed of fast bowlers who wants to bowl quick and fast. What makes him so special is his ability to clear the boundary line with ease. Pakistan needs a genuine all-rounder and Ashraf could be the answer for the long run.

(As of March 2021)