Arafat Minhas: Record-Breaking Rise in Pakistan Cricket

Introduction

Arafat Minhas is a Pakistani international cricketer who bats left-handed and bowls slow left-arm orthodox spin. He plays as an all-rounder and has represented Pakistan in both T20 International and One Day International cricket.

The Multan-born player progressed through Under-13, Under-16 and Under-19 cricket before entering domestic tournaments, the Pakistan Super League and the senior national side.

His biggest breakthrough arrived on May 30, 2026, when he took five wickets for 32 runs on his ODI debut against Australia. He also hit the winning six and was named Player of the Match.

Minhas completed the three-match series with seven wickets and 60 runs, helping Pakistan win 2–1 and earning the Player of the Series award.

Arafat Minhas Quick Profile

Information	Details
Full name	Arafat Minhas
Date of birth	January 2, 2005
Age	21 years old
Birthplace	Multan, Punjab, Pakistan
Nationality	Pakistani
Profession	Professional cricketer
Playing role	All-rounder
Batting style	Left-handed
Bowling style	Slow left-arm orthodox
International team	Pakistan
T20I debut	October 3, 2023, against Hong Kong
ODI debut	May 30, 2026, against Australia
ODI debut figures	Five wickets for 32 runs
PSL 2026 team	Multan Sultans
Father	Kashif Minhas
Brother	Sameer Minhas
Known for	First Pakistani bowler to take five wickets on ODI debut
Current status	Active international cricketer

The official Pakistan Cricket Board player profile confirms his date of birth, birthplace, batting style, bowling style and major representative teams.

Who Is Arafat Minhas?

Arafat Minhas is a spin-bowling all-rounder who can contribute in several match situations.

He normally bats in the middle or lower order, where he can rebuild an innings, rotate the strike or increase the scoring rate during the final overs.

With the ball, he provides controlled left-arm spin. He can slow the scoring rate while also attacking batters through changes in pace, flight and trajectory.

His combination of batting depth and wicket-taking spin makes him a useful limited-overs option for Pakistan.

Readers following other left-arm spin careers may also find the journey of Taijul Islam useful, although the Bangladeshi bowler has built most of his reputation in Test cricket.

Arafat Minhas Age and Birthplace

Arafat Minhas was born on January 2, 2005, in Multan, Punjab.

He is 21 years old as of July 2026.

Multan remained central to his early development. He played cricket around his home before entering organised club and regional competitions.

His professional record identifies him as a Pakistani national and a left-handed all-rounder from Multan.

Early Life and Interest in Cricket

Arafat became interested in cricket because of his father, Kashif Minhas, who had played at Under-19 level.

He began playing tape-ball cricket near his home when he was around six years old.

These informal games helped him develop basic control, confidence and an early understanding of batting and spin bowling.

At nine, he attended trials at Crescent Cricket Club in Multan. He earned selection despite being the youngest player in the team at that time.

The club had previously helped develop cricketers such as Sohaib Maqsood, Aamer Yamin and Zain Abbas, giving Arafat access to a competitive training environment.

His gradual pathway from childhood practice to organised competition resembles the development route followed by many young athletes, including British BMX rider Kieran Reilly.

Arafat Minhas Family

Arafat’s father is Kashif Minhas, a former youth cricketer who became an important guide in his sons’ sporting careers.

Arafat has described his father as his main role model. Kashif helped arrange training and encouraged him to remain disciplined during the difficult stages of youth cricket.

Kashif later worked around professional cricket as a cameraman. During PSL 2026, he had the unusual experience of filming matches involving both of his sons.

Arafat’s younger brother, Sameer Minhas, is also a professional cricketer. Sameer represented Pakistan at youth level and played for Islamabad United during PSL 2026, while Arafat represented Multan Sultans.

The brothers began playing together at home, supported by a father who understood the demands of competitive cricket.

Education

Arafat continued his education while progressing through Pakistan’s age-group system.

In a 2023 interview, he said he had not abandoned his studies and intended to pursue university education after completing his F.Sc.

Training camps, domestic tournaments and international travel can make education difficult for a young athlete. His comments showed that he wanted to keep academic development alongside cricket.

Under-13 Cricket Development

Arafat represented Multan in the PCB Under-13 Inter-Regional T20 Tournament.

He took seven wickets during the 2017 competition and followed that performance with six wickets in the 2018 edition.

His bowling earned invitations to PCB high-performance camps, where he received more structured coaching and competed against stronger young players.

Those early tournaments established him as a developing left-arm spinner rather than only a useful batter.

Under-16 Breakthrough

Arafat progressed to Under-16 cricket between 2018 and 2020.

His breakthrough came during the 2020–21 PCB National Under-16 One-Day Tournament.

He scored 312 runs and took nine wickets in five matches, showing that he could influence games with both skills.

His performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award and strengthened his position as one of the most promising all-rounders in his age group.

Under-19 Career

Arafat joined Southern Punjab’s Under-19 setup during the 2021–22 season.

He scored 504 runs and claimed 22 wickets in the three-day National Under-19 Championship.

That consistent all-round contribution earned him another Player of the Tournament award.

He also took ten wickets in five matches during the National Under-19 One-Day Cup.

These performances moved him towards national youth selection and gave him the experience needed for televised franchise competition.

Pakistan Junior League Success

Gwadar Sharks selected Arafat for the inaugural Pakistan Junior League in 2022.

He was trusted with the captaincy and responded with 178 runs and nine wickets during the tournament.

His bowling average of 17.67 placed him among the leading wicket-takers, while his middle-order batting gave the Sharks greater balance.

Arafat received the Best All-Rounder award and was selected as captain of the official Team of the Tournament.

He also worked with former West Indies batter Sir Viv Richards, who served as a mentor for Gwadar Sharks.

Arafat later recalled Richards advising the young players that strong determination could help them achieve difficult goals.

Pakistan Under-19 Series Against Bangladesh

His Pakistan Junior League performances earned him selection for Pakistan Under-19 against Bangladesh Under-19.

He played three youth one-day matches and two T20 matches during the series.

Arafat scored 171 runs and took three wickets in the 50-over matches, earning the Player of the Series award.

In the final youth T20, he remained unbeaten on 50 and completed the successful chase with a six.

That performance offered an early sign of the calm finishing ability he later displayed in senior international cricket.

List A Debut and Pakistan Cup

Arafat made his List A debut for Southern Punjab against Sindh on December 10, 2022.

Southern Punjab were chasing 276 but fell to 16 for four.

Arafat joined Usman Salahuddin and helped rebuild the innings through a 143-run partnership.

He scored 81, while Salahuddin made 89, helping Southern Punjab recover and complete the chase.

Arafat finished the Pakistan Cup with 330 runs and nine wickets from ten matches.

The tournament proved that his youth-level success could transfer into senior domestic cricket.

The patience needed to build a professional sporting career can also be seen in the journey of footballer Tom White, who developed through several teams and competitive levels.

Early Pakistan Senior-Squad Experience

In December 2022, Arafat was among three high-performing teenagers added to Pakistan’s Test squad before the first match against New Zealand.

He did not make his Test debut, but training with senior international players provided valuable experience.

He observed how established cricketers prepared for different match conditions, managed pressure and approached individual sessions.

This exposure arrived before his official international debut and helped introduce him to the standards expected inside the national setup.

Pakistan Super League Career

Multan Sultans selected Arafat in the supplementary category for the 2023 Pakistan Super League.

His first spell with the franchise gave him the chance to train beside experienced domestic and overseas players.

Karachi Kings later selected him in the Silver category for PSL 2024.

He returned to Multan Sultans for PSL 2026 and became a useful lower-order finisher and left-arm spin option.

Arafat produced a match-winning all-round performance against Karachi Kings in April 2026, helping Multan Sultans secure an 11-run victory.

His progress through difficult levels of professional sport reflects the persistence also seen in the boxing career of Fabio Wardley.

T20 International Debut

Arafat made his T20 International debut against Hong Kong during the Asian Games in Hangzhou on October 3, 2023.

He scored 25 from 16 deliveries, hitting two fours and two sixes.

He then took two wickets for 19 runs as Pakistan dismissed Hong Kong for 92 and completed a 68-run victory.

Contributing with both bat and ball in his first international match demonstrated the balance he could bring to Pakistan’s limited-overs team.

Pakistan Under-19 World Cup

Arafat represented Pakistan at the 2024 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.

He scored 105 runs and took eight wickets during the tournament.

His wickets came at an average of 9.88, showing his accuracy and ability to control young international batters.

His strongest all-round display came in the semi-final against Australia.

Arafat scored 52 before taking two wickets for 20 runs from ten overs. Pakistan narrowly lost the match by one wicket, but his performance stood out in a tense knockout contest.

Historic ODI Debut Against Australia

Arafat received his first ODI opportunity against Australia at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 30, 2026.

The match was also Pakistan’s 1,000th One Day International.

Arafat delivered a memorable spell of five wickets for 32 runs, helping dismiss Australia for 200.

He became the first Pakistani bowler to take a five-wicket haul on ODI debut.

Pakistan later lost several wickets during the chase, but Arafat remained composed and hit the final delivery of the match for six to complete a five-wicket victory.

He received the Player of the Match award for his performance with the ball and his contribution at the end of the chase.

Player of the Series Against Australia

Australia won the second ODI, sending the series into a deciding third match in Lahore.

Pakistan won the final game by four wickets and completed a 2–1 series victory.

Arafat finished his first ODI series with 60 runs and seven wickets.

His performances earned him the Player of the Series award, turning his first three ODIs into an important international breakthrough.

The complete Australia tour of Pakistan series record lists Minhas as Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in the series.

Arafat Minhas Batting Style

Arafat is a left-handed batter who normally operates in the middle or lower order.

He has shown the ability to repair an innings after early wickets, as demonstrated by his 81 on List A debut.

He can also play as a finisher. During PSL 2026, he produced quick late-order runs and showed confidence against pace and spin.

Arafat has said that he prefers reading the match situation instead of attacking every delivery.

He admires AB de Villiers for his creativity, shot selection and impact on modern T20 batting.

Arafat Minhas Bowling Style

Arafat bowls slow left-arm orthodox spin.

His bowling is based on accuracy, control and changes of pace rather than depending only on sharp turn.

He can bowl during the middle overs, when teams need to control the scoring rate and break partnerships.

His ODI debut showed that he can also be used as an attacking wicket-taking bowler.

Taking five wickets against an experienced Australian batting lineup demonstrated his confidence under international pressure.

Cricket readers can explore more international players through the British Blog cricketer profiles.

Coaches, Mentors and Inspirations

Arafat has described his father as the biggest influence on his career.

His long-term coaches have included Tahir Mahmood Faiz and Naeem Iqbal, whom he credited for supporting his development.

Sir Viv Richards became another important mentor during the Pakistan Junior League.

Arafat also admires AB de Villiers but has explained that he tries to learn different qualities from several senior cricketers rather than copying one player completely.

Major Achievements

• Player of the Tournament in the 2020–21 National Under-16 One-Day Tournament.
• Player of the Tournament in the 2021–22 National Under-19 Championship.
• Best All-Rounder in the 2022 Pakistan Junior League.
• Captain of the Pakistan Junior League Team of the Tournament.
• Player of the Series against Bangladesh Under-19.
• Pakistan T20I debut at the 2023 Asian Games.
• Eight wickets at the 2024 ICC Under-19 World Cup.
• Five wickets for 32 runs on ODI debut against Australia.
• First Pakistani bowler to take five wickets on ODI debut.
• Player of the Match on ODI debut.
• Player of the Series against Australia in June 2026.

Arafat Minhas Career Timeline

Year	Career development
2005	Born in Multan on January 2
2011	Began playing tape-ball cricket
2014	Joined Crescent Cricket Club
2017–18	Represented Multan at Under-13 level
2020–21	Won the National Under-16 Player of the Tournament award
2021–22	Became National Under-19 Championship Player of the Tournament
2022	Captained Gwadar Sharks in the Pakistan Junior League
December 2022	Made List A debut and scored 81
2023	Joined Multan Sultans and made his Pakistan T20I debut
2024	Represented Pakistan at the Under-19 World Cup
2024	Joined Karachi Kings
2026	Returned to Multan Sultans
May 2026	Took five wickets on ODI debut against Australia
June 2026	Won the ODI Player of the Series award
June 2026	Selected for Pakistan’s Asian Games squad

Arafat Minhas Current Status in 2026

As of July 2026, Arafat is an active Pakistan international all-rounder.

His latest completed international assignment was the three-match ODI series against Australia, which Pakistan won 2–1.

On June 10, he was included in Pakistan’s 15-player squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

The cricket tournament is scheduled to begin on September 24, with Sahibzada Farhan named captain and Abdul Samad appointed vice-captain.

The selection gives Arafat another opportunity to represent Pakistan in the competition where he made his senior international debut three years earlier.

Official Video: Arafat Minhas and His Father Reflect on His ODI Debut

 

Interesting Facts About Arafat Minhas

• He started playing tape-ball cricket at around six years old.
• He entered red-ball club cricket when he was nine.
• He was the youngest player at Crescent Cricket Club when selected.
• His father played Under-19 cricket.
• His brother Sameer Minhas is also a professional cricketer.
• He admires AB de Villiers.
• Sir Viv Richards mentored his Pakistan Junior League team.
• He scored 81 on his List A debut.
• He made his Pakistan debut during the Asian Games.
• He took five wickets in his first ODI.
• He hit a six to complete Pakistan’s victory on ODI debut.
• He won Player of the Series in his first ODI assignment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Arafat Minhas?

He is a Pakistani international all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls slow left-arm orthodox spin.

How old is Arafat Minhas?

He is 21 years old as of July 2026.

When was Arafat Minhas born?

He was born on January 2, 2005.

Where is Arafat Minhas from?

He is from Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.

Who is Arafat Minhas’s father?

His father is Kashif Minhas, a former youth cricketer and cricket cameraman.

Is Sameer Minhas related to Arafat Minhas?

Yes. Sameer Minhas is his younger brother.

What is Arafat Minhas’s batting style?

He is a left-handed batter.

What is Arafat Minhas’s bowling style?

He bowls slow left-arm orthodox spin.

When did Arafat Minhas make his T20I debut?

He made his T20I debut against Hong Kong on October 3, 2023.

When did Arafat Minhas make his ODI debut?

He made his ODI debut against Australia on May 30, 2026.

How many wickets did Arafat Minhas take on ODI debut?

He took five wickets for 32 runs.

Which PSL team did Arafat Minhas play for in 2026?

He represented Multan Sultans.

What record did Arafat Minhas create?

He became the first Pakistani bowler to take five wickets on ODI debut.

Is Arafat Minhas in Pakistan’s Asian Games 2026 squad?

Yes. He was selected in Pakistan’s 15-player squad.

Conclusion

Arafat Minhas has progressed from tape-ball cricket in Multan to the senior Pakistan team through consistent performances at every development level.

He earned major awards in Under-16, Under-19 and Pakistan Junior League cricket before proving his ability in domestic and franchise competitions.

His five-wicket haul against Australia transformed his international career. Winning Player of the Series in his first ODI assignment showed that the debut performance was more than one successful day.

At 21, Arafat remains a developing all-rounder with the batting depth, controlled left-arm spin and pressure-handling ability required in modern limited-overs cricket.

His long-term challenge will be to convert an exceptional beginning into a consistent career for Pakistan.