Arafat Minhas is one of the most exciting young cricketers in Pakistan. The 21 year old all-rounder bats left-handed and bowls slow left-arm orthodox spin, and in only a few months of international cricket he has already produced a debut five-wicket haul and a match-winning fifty and six-wicket performance against England. This profile covers his early life, career, major performances and what makes him special.
Quick facts
Full name: Arafat Minhas Born: 2 January 2005, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan Age: 21 Role: All-rounder Batting style: Left-handed Bowling style: Slow left-arm orthodox Teams: Pakistan, Multan Sultans Family: Father Kashif Minhas, a former Under-19 cricketer, and brother Sameer Minhas
Early life and background
Minhas was born in Multan and grew up in a cricket-loving family. His father, Kashif Minhas, played Under-19 cricket and is the person Arafat calls his role model. He started his journey at Crescent Cricket Club in Multan and began playing with the leather ball at the age of eight. He then moved up through the Under-13, Under-16 and Under-19 levels. Among batters, he has said he admires AB de Villiers, and he follows other left-arm spinners but says he does not copy anyone. As a bowler, he likes to study the batter first and then build a plan.
Rise through age group and domestic cricket
By January 2024, Minhas was a regular member of the Pakistan Under-19 team. In the 14 months before that he had played 17 one-day games for the side, scoring 525 runs at an average of 52.5 and taking 19 wickets. He was named in the squad for the 2024 ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa and was one of the most experienced members of that group. He also captained Gwadar Sharks in domestic cricket and later became part of the Pakistan Shaheens system and the Multan Sultans squad in the Pakistan Super League.
International debut
Minhas made his T20I debut on 3 October 2023 against Hong Kong at the Asian Games, when he was only 18. Pakistan sent a young side to that event, and it gave him early exposure to international pressure.
The dream ODI debut against Australia
His ODI debut came on 30 May 2026 in Rawalpindi against Australia, in Pakistan's 1,000th ODI. He took 5 for 32, removing Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green and Nathan Ellis, and he also helped break the fifth-wicket stand by dismissing Matthew Short. He became the first Pakistan bowler to take five wickets on ODI debut. Australia were all out for 200, and Minhas also finished the chase with a six, ending 18 not out as Pakistan won by five wickets with 45 balls to spare.
Asian Games in Japan
Minhas was part of the Pakistan squad at the Asian Games in Japan. Pakistan lost the gold medal match to India, but he took 2 for 25 in three overs, including the wickets of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan.
Match-winning show against England
On 20 October 2026, in Rawalpindi, Minhas had the best day of his career so far. Coming in at number seven with Pakistan at 133 for 5, he scored 59 off 58 balls and shared stands of 78 with Hasan Nawaz and 72 with Faheem Ashraf. With the ball, he took six wickets, including Harry Brook, who was bowled by a delivery that turned sharply from middle and leg. He then ended the match with a direct-hit run out. Pakistan won by 87 runs, and Minhas received the Player of the Match award, his second in only five ODIs. He became only the third Pakistan player after Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq to score a fifty and take five wickets in the same ODI.
What the experts say
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi called him a proper all-rounder, not just a batting or bowling one. England's Harry Brook said Minhas was the best performer on the day by a long way. Head coach Mike Hesson said earlier in the year that Minhas had shown with bat, ball and in the field that he was ready for international cricket.
Strengths and style
As a spinner, Minhas has accuracy, good control of drift and turn, and the ability to take wickets in the middle overs. As a batter, he is calm at number seven and scores many of his runs through the cover and mid-off area. He is also a sharp fielder with a strong arm, as his run out against England showed.
What is next
Pakistan are building towards the 50-over World Cup next year, and a left-handed batter who also bowls quality spin gives the team a lot of balance. The challenge for a young player in Pakistan is to stay consistent, but his early record gives him a strong chance of a long career.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Arafat Minhas? He was born on 2 January 2005, so he is 21 years old.
Where is Arafat Minhas from? He is from Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.
Which IPL or PSL team does he play for? He plays for Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League.
What is his best bowling in ODIs? His debut figures of 5 for 32 against Australia were his best until he took six wickets against England in October 2026.
Who is Sameer Minhas? He is Arafat's brother.
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