Making history at just 21—a fifty with the bat and 6 wickets with the ball: who is Arafat Minhas?

He first grabbed attention by taking 5 wickets on his ODI debut against Australia. Now, against England, he has scored his maiden international half-century and followed it up with a 6-wicket haul. At just 21 years of age, all-rounder Arafat Minhas has proven his capabilities and become a major talking point in Pakistan cricket.

Arafat shines with both bat and ball against England

When Pakistan’s innings came under pressure against England, left-handed batter Arafat stepped up to steady the ship. He played a crucial role in taking Pakistan from 133/5 to a total of 302.

The young all-rounder scored 59 runs off 58 balls. His 78-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Hasan Nawaz, followed by a 72-run stand for the seventh wicket with Faheem Ashraf, helped Pakistan reach a competitive total.

However, it was with the ball that Arafat truly dazzled. Chasing a target of 303, England had reached 120/1 in just 18.2 overs, with the hosts appearing to take control of the match. It was at this critical juncture that Arafat’s left-arm spin turned the tide for Pakistan.

He first dismissed opener Tom Banton, who had scored 57 runs. He then shifted the momentum of the match by bowling England captain Harry Brook. Brook attempted to play a full-length delivery off his back foot, but the ball—pitched on the line of the off-stump—spun in to shatter his stumps.

Arafat went on to claim the wickets of Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, and Adil Rashid. He finished with figures of 6/40—the best bowling performance of his career.

A special feat in the history of Pakistan cricket

Scoring a half-century and taking five or more wickets in the same ODI is a remarkable achievement. This performance has earned Arafat a place on a notable list in the history of Pakistan cricket.

Other stars of Pakistan cricket, such as Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq, have also achieved this feat in ODIs. Afridi achieved this feat three times, and Razzaq once. Now, after a long interval, Arafat has joined that list.

Delivering such a performance in just his fifth ODI has raised expectations regarding his future potential.

Five wickets on ODI debut

The story of Arafat’s rise in international cricket began even earlier. On his ODI debut against Australia, he took five wickets and was named Player of the Match. In that game, he bowled 10 overs, conceding only 32 runs, and claimed the wickets of Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Matthew Short, and Nathan Ellis.

This left-arm spinner set a record as the first Pakistani bowler to take five wickets on his ODI debut. His recent performance against England serves as further proof that his initial success was no mere fluke.

Who is Arafat Minhas?

Arafat Minhas was born on January 2, 2005, in Multan, Pakistan. He made his international cricket debut in the T20 format, playing his first match for Pakistan against Hong Kong at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on October 4, 2023.

Since 2024, Arafat has also been a regular participant in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He currently plays for the Multan Sultans, having previously represented the Karachi Kings.

His ability to contribute in both batting and spin bowling has established him as one of Pakistan’s promising young all-rounders.

His younger brother, Samir, is also a notable name in Pakistan cricket

Arafat’s younger brother, Samir Minhas, has also made his mark in Pakistan cricket. Last December, in the final of the Under-19 Asia Cup against India, the opening batter played a brilliant innings of 171 runs.

That 113-ball knock included 9 sixes and 17 fours. Samir also set the record for the highest individual score by a Pakistani batter in a Youth ODI, surpassing Shahzaib Khan’s previous record of 159 runs.

He finished as the tournament’s top run-scorer, accumulating 471 runs. Subsequently, he also impressed with the bat during the most recent edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Although he has yet to make his senior national team debut, expectations surrounding Samir continue to grow.

The father behind his sons' journey to becoming cricketers

Kashif Minhas, the father of Arafat and Samir, played a pivotal role in their development as cricketers. He once harbored dreams of becoming a cricketer himself and was well-known in Multan for his participation in 'tape-ball' cricket. Recognizing his sons' keen interest, he enrolled both of them in the local Crescent Cricket Club.

Following his century in the final of the Under-19 Asia Cup, Samir acknowledged his father’s contribution. He described his father as a fast bowler capable of delivering both off-cutters and leg-cutters using the same bowling action. Beyond providing them with the opportunity to play with a proper cricket ball, his father also offered the essential support needed for them to reach the highest levels of the sport.

Currently, Kashif Minhas works as a professional sports photographer, which allows him to be present at the grounds to witness his sons' successes.

With responsible innings, match-turning spells, and a historic performance on his ODI debut, Arafat Minhas’s recent displays have placed him at the center of new discussions within Pakistani cricket. It remains to be seen how far he can progress by maintaining this level of consistency.

Verification before publication: Please cross-check the match dates and results, the details of Arafat’s ODI debut, previous instances of a Pakistani player scoring a half-century and taking five wickets in the same ODI, as well as the Under-19 and PSL statistics for Samir Minhas, using reliable sources.