Tag: Arafat Minhas

Legendary batter David Warner has praised Pakistan all-rounder Arafat Minhas after his record-breaking performance ODI debut against Australia. 

David took to Instagram caption to acknowledge the 21-year-old Minhas for his outstanding performance in the ODI series opener.

Warner praised the young all-rounder, writing, “Well done legend,” alongside a picture of Minhas.

A day earlier, Arafat became the first player from Pakistan to record fifer on ODI debut, registering a remarkable figures of 5-32

With the performance, Minhas registered the best bowling figures by a Pakistani on ODI debut, surpassing a 41-year-old record previously held by former pacer Zakir Khan, who had taken 4-19 against New Zealand in 1984.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

His figures also eclipsed the previous best by a Pakistani spinner on ODI debut, a record held by legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, who claimed 4-21 against New Zealand in 1983.

Minhas bowling helped Pakistan dismiss Australia for 200 in 44.1 overs and rewriting the national record books in the process.

Best bowling figures on ODI debut for Pakistan

• Arafat Minhas – 5-32 vs Australia, 2026
• Zakir Khan – 4-19 vs New Zealand, 1984
• Abdul Qadir – 4-21 vs New Zealand, 1983
• Abrar Ahmed – 4-33 vs Zimbabwe, 2024
• Sarfaraz Nawaz – 4-46 vs New Zealand, 1973

Chasing a modest target of 201, Pakistan reached 202-5 in 42.3 overs, thanks largely to a match-defining 127-run partnership between Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori.

Minhas also chipped in with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 18 off 17, striking two fours and six to finish the match. The all-rounder was adjugded player of the match for his performance.

READ: Arafat Minhas denies replacement talk after debut heroics

RAWALPINDI: Debutant Arafat Minhas produced a memorable all-round performance as Pakistan secured a convincing five-wicket victory over Australia in the opening ODI of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

The 21-year-old first dismantled Australia’s batting line-up with a historic five-wicket haul before returning to finish the chase in style, smashing a six to seal Pakistan’s victory with 45 balls to spare.

Chasing a modest target of 201, Pakistan reached 202-5 in 42.3 overs, thanks largely to a match-defining 127-run partnership between Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori.

Pakistan’s pursuit began on a shaky note when Maaz Sadaqat was dismissed for eight with only 25 runs on the board. The hosts suffered another setback when Sahibzada Farhan fell for 28 in the 13th over, leaving Pakistan at 49-2.

Babar and Ghazi then steadied the innings with a composed stand that gradually took the game away from Australia. Both batters brought up well-crafted half-centuries while rotating the strike effectively.

The partnership was eventually broken in the 39th over when Nathan Ellis deceived Babar with a slower delivery. The former Pakistan captain top-scored with 69 off 94 balls, striking four boundaries and one six.

Ellis struck again in his next over to remove Ghazi, who impressed with 65 off 92 deliveries, including eight fours.

Pakistan lost another wicket when Salman Ali Agha was trapped lbw by Marnus Labuschagne for six, but Minhas ensured there were no further hiccups. The all-rounder fittingly completed his dream debut by launching a straight six to finish unbeaten on 18 from 17 balls.

Ellis was Australia’s most successful bowler with figures of 2-45, while Matthew Kuhnemann, Tanveer Sangha and Labuschagne claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi’s decision to bowl first proved decisive as Australia were bowled out for 200 in 44.1 overs.

Despite half-centuries from Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw, the visitors struggled to build substantial partnerships against a disciplined Pakistan bowling attack.

Short scored 55 from 76 deliveries, while Renshaw contributed 61, but Australia’s middle order failed to capitalise after promising starts.

The star of the innings was Minhas, who etched his name into Pakistan cricket history by becoming the first Pakistani bowler to claim a five-wicket haul on ODI debut. He finished with outstanding figures of 5-32 from his 10 overs.

Abrar Ahmed provided excellent support with two wickets, while Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf picked up one wicket apiece.

With the victory, Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series, with the second match scheduled to be played in Lahore on June 2.

READ: Arafat Minhas scripts history with five-wicket haul on ODI debut

KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ all-rounder Arafat Minhas deemed the thrilling victory against Multan Sultans in the third match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 a morale booster for the entire squad.

Karachi Kings successfully chased down a challenging target of 235 runs, losing six wickets in the process with four balls remaining.

The home team started strong in pursuit of the target, with Tim Seifert leading the way by scoring 32 runs off 16 balls, which included two fours and three sixes. However, Multan pegged them back with quick wickets.

Despite this, James Vince and Khushdil Shah forged a remarkable partnership. Both were the stars of the night, helping Kings chase a formidable total.

James Vince scored a remarkable century with a stunning 42-ball hundred, achieving 101 runs off just 43 deliveries.

The right-handed batter hit four sixes and 14 fours. Khushdil Shah also contributed significantly, scoring 60 runs off 37 balls, with four sixes and five fours.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Karachi Kings completed the target in style on the second ball of the final over, with Abbas Afridi hitting a stunning six straight down the ground.

Minhas, who conceded 24 in his two overs, highlighted the value of the opening match.

“Every player values the first match of the event. A win in the opener has lifted our spirits,” said Minhas.

While discussing his experience, the left-handed player praised the value of playing alongside David Warner and James Vince.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

“Training and sharing the dressing room with senior players like James Vince, David Warner and Tim Seifert is very helpful. It is motivating to see them when we practice with them or play with them,” he stated.

Arafat Minhas admitted there was no particular game plan going into the match.

“Our team didn’t have any specific strategy, but the management showed faith in me. I was given a clear role, and I will try to fulfill it to the best of my ability.”

The 20-year-old also acknowledged the Karachi Kings’ lapses in the field while stressing the need for improvement in the upcoming games.

“We made some mistakes in the field, but in the end, credit for the win goes to James Vince. The goal is to perform well in the coming matches, ” he concluded.

READ: PSL 10: Karachi Kings edge out Multan Sultans in high-scoring thriller

LAHORE: Gwadar Sharks’ all-rounder Arafat Minhas displayed a remarkable all-round performance and powered his side to maintain their unbeaten run in the ongoing Pakistan Junior League as they downed Gujranwala Giants by 44 runs in a low-scoring encounter.

The Sharks, batting first – on the invitation of Giants’ captain Uzair Mumtaz – bowled out for 131 in 20 overs.

Left-handed batter Arafat displayed grit after his side was off to a dismal start and scored a fighting 37 before falling prey to Hasan Ali Jr in the 13th over.

Arafat’s 30-ball knock featured one boundary and a six.

Besides Arafat, Luc Benkenstein was the other notable run-getter as he accumulated 26 off 20 before falling to Hasan Jr.

The rest of the Sharks’ batters made handy contributions with the bat as the side finished at a respectable 131 in 20 overs.

Mohammad Ibtisam and Hasan Jr were the picks of the bowlers for the Giants as they returned with figures of 2/21 and 2/25 respectively. Matthew Tromp, Ali Asfand and Thomas Aspinwall made one scalp each.

Set to chase 132, the Giants’ batting lineup failed completely and bundled out for a skimpy 87 in the 16th over.

Arafat, who top-scored for the Sharks in the first innings, led the bowling charts as well and returned with astounding figures of 4/13.

Besides Arafat, Momin Qamar and Saad Masood bagged two wickets each, while Mohammad Shoaib and Mohammad Ismail struck out a batter apiece.

Giants’ middle-order batter Shevon Daniel looked to put on a fight as he top-scored for his side with a gritty 28, while the rest of the batters failed to leave their mark in the run chase.

READ: Japan thrash Tanzania, Spain edge Colombia in FIFA U-17 Women’s WC