Pakistan U19 World Cup stars who went on to play for Pakistan's senior men's cricket team

Pakistan team have lifted two U19 World Cup titles so far.

Several talented cricketers from Pakistan’s U19 World Cup squad have seamlessly transitioned to the senior men’s team, making significant contributions to the nation’s cricketing legacy. These emerging stars, who honed their skills at the U19 World Cup, have demonstrated remarkable performances for Pakistan’s senior men’s squad. From dazzling with their skills at the youth tournaments to proving their mettle on the international stage, these players exemplify the rich cricketing talent nurtured in Pakistan.

Now, let’s look at the list of Pakistan U19 World Cup stars who went on to play for Pakistan’s senior men’s cricket team.

6. Sarfaraz Ahmed (2006)

Sarfaraz Ahmed led his team to victory at the 2006 U19 World Cup and played a crucial role in his side’s success. Despite scoring only 64 runs in six matches during the tournament, Sarfaraz made his international debut in 2007 for Pakistan.

Over the years, he has contributed significantly to Pakistan’s cricket, playing 54 tests and accumulating 3031 runs, participating in 117 ODIs with 2315 runs and has featured in 61 T20Is, amassing 818 runs so far. He was the captain of the Pakistan team who won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017. Sarfaraz’s journey from U19 success to a prominent figure in Pakistan’s cricket reflects his enduring impact on the sport.

5. Imad Wasim (2006, 2008)

Imad Wasim, the Pakistani cricketer, was part of the 2006 and 2008 U19 World Cups. In the 2006 edition, he took four wickets and in 2008 he showcased his bowling skills by picking up eight wickets. Despite his early exposure in U19 cricket, Imad made his international debut relatively late in 2015. In the limited-overs format, he played 55 ODIs, scoring 986 runs and taking 44 wickets.

Additionally, he featured in 66 T20Is, where he excelled as a bowler, capturing 65 wickets. On 24 November 2023, he announced his retirement from international cricket. Imad Wasim’s journey reflects his transition from U19 cricket to becoming a key player in Pakistan’s white-ball squads.

4. Babar Azam (2010, 2012)

Babar Azam, is a prominent figure in contemporary cricket, having been part of the 2010 and 2012 U19 World Cups. During these tournaments, he showcased his batting skills by scoring 298 runs in 2010 and 287 in 2012. His performances at the youth level set the stage for his international debut in 2015.

Since then, Babar has evolved into a key player for Pakistan, featuring in 52 tests and scoring 3898 runs with nine centuries. In ODIs, he has scored 5729 runs with 19 centuries in 117 matches, while in T20Is, he has contributed 3542 runs, including three centuries in 105 appearances so far. He is currently one of the top ranked batters in the world.

3. Imam-ul-Haq (2012, 2014)

Imam-ul-Haq showcased his potential very early and was part of both U19 World Cups in 2012 and 2014. The latter proved to be a standout year for him as he accumulated an impressive 382 runs in six matches. He went on to make his international debut in 2017 and since then has been a consistent performer for Pakistan.

In test cricket, he has played 24 matches, scoring 1568 runs, while in ODIs, he has amassed 3138 runs across 72 matches so far. Additionally, Imam-ul-Haq has made appearances in two T20Is.

2. Shadab Khan (2016)

Shadab Khan made his mark in the cricket world after an impactful performance at the 2016 U19 World Cup, where he took 11 wickets in six matches. This success paved the way for his international debut in 2017. Since then, Shadab has been a valuable asset for Pakistan, participating in six Tests and claiming 14 wickets, featuring in 70 ODIs with 85 wickets and playing 92 T20Is where he has taken 104 wickets so far.

His journey from the U19 stage to becoming a key contributor in the international arena highlights his talent and effectiveness as an all-rounder for Pakistan.

1. Shaheen Afridi (2018)

Shaheen Afridi showcased his bowling skills in the 2018 U19 World Cup, where he played five matches and took 12 wickets. Making his international debut in 2018, Afridi has emerged as a key asset for Pakistan’s cricket team.

In test cricket, he has participated in 29 matches, taking a total of 113 wickets. Similarly, in ODIs, he has claimed 104 wickets in 53 matches, while in T20Is he has been effective with 67 wickets in 53 appearances so far. Afridi’s consistent performances highlight his impact as a talented fast bowler for Pakistan.

(All stats updated till 14th January, 2024)

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