Pakistan cricket continues to explore new talent as selectors look to strengthen the national squad for the future. The latest additions to the national team — Shamyl Hussain and Ghazi Ghori have raised eyebrows.
Both players have been performing consistently in domestic competitions, which eventually brought them onto the radar of selectors. While they are still early in their professional journeys, their recent performances suggest they could become important prospects for Pakistan in the coming years.
Shamyl Hussain – A promising top-order batter
Over the last couple of years, Shamyl Hussain has emerged as one of the most promising young batters in Pakistan’s domestic cricket. He has made a mark with his impressive ability to score at a brisk rate. Shamyl is steadily building a reputation as a reliable top-order player who can perform across all formats of the game.
The Islamabad-born player’s rise has been marked by steady, strong performances across multiple cricket formats in Pakistan’s domestic competitions.
PJL and Pakistan Under-19
Shamyl,21, played for Gwadar Sharks in the Pakistan Junior League (PJL) and first gained recognition through Pakistan’s Under-19 setup. In Youth ODIs, he has amassed 620 runs in 17 matches at an average of 41.33, including a century and four half-centuries.
The left-hander represented the Pakistan team in the U-19 World Cup held in South Africa in 2024. Although he did not have the best of numbers, he managed 151 runs in six matches at an average of 30.20, with 54 his highest score.
Domestic career
Despite being fast-tracked into the national side, Shamyl Hussain’s domestic record is one of the main reasons for his inclusion in the Pakistan tour of Bangladesh.
In first-class cricket, Shamyl has shown remarkable consistency. According to his domestic statistics, Shamyl has played 26 First-Class matches, scoring 2019 runs at an impressive average of 45.88. His record includes six centuries and nine half-centuries, with a best score of 229. This demonstrates his propensity to convert starts into big innings.
He was also the second-highest run getter in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26, in which he finished with 899 runs in nine matches at an average of 64.21. He scored three centuries and five half-centuries in the country’s premier domestic competition.
Besides his batting, he also served as captain and famously led Pakistan Television (PTV) to a historic win, defending a 40-run target, the lowest in first-class history.
In List A cricket, Shamyl is also off to a good start. Across 14 matches, he has scored 560 runs at an average of 43.07, including two centuries and three half-centuries. Even more impressive is his strike rate of 99.64, which suggests that he can balance consistency with modern limited-overs scoring demands.
T20 record
While Shamyl is best known for his longer-form batting, he has also begun to gain expertise in T20 cricket.
In 10 T20 matches, he has scored 221 runs at an average of 24.55 and a strike rate of 125.56. His top score in this format is 75.
Although these results are based on a small sample size, they suggest that he can adapt to the faster tempo of T20 cricket. As his experience improves, selectors may expect his strike rate and finishing skills to improve even more.
Pakistan Super League (PSL) exposure
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has become one of the most important platforms for young Pakistani cricketers to showcase their talent.
He was picked by Islamabad United in PSL 10 in the emerging category. In PSL 11 auction, he has been roped in by Quetta Gladiators for a price of PKR 84 lacs.
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While Shamyl Hussain has yet to establish himself as a regular PSL star, his performances in domestic tournaments have placed him firmly on the radar of PSL franchises and national selectors. Exposure to the PSL environment could significantly accelerate the player’s development as a T20 hitter.
Wicket-keeper batter Ghazi Ghori
Ghazi Ghori is a young wicketkeeper-batter hailing from Karachi. Born on 16 March 2003, Ghori is a right-handed batter.
Like many Pakistani cricketers, his journey began through the country’s competitive regional cricket system before progressing to professional domestic tournaments. His steady performances at different levels eventually brought him to the selectors’ radar.
Under-19 Cricket
Ghori,22, also progressed through Pakistan’s age-group cricket pathway, which is considered one of the main talent pipelines for the national team. Representing regional Under-19 sides gave him valuable experience against young players from across the country.
Performances at this level helped him develop both his wicketkeeping technique and his ability to contribute with the bat under pressure.
First-Class cricket
Ghazi Ghori has played the majority of his professional cricket in the First-Class format.
So far in his First-Class career, Ghori has played 26 matches, scoring more than 1,692 runs at an average of 41.26. His record includes three centuries and 10 half-centuries, with a highest score of 138.
These numbers highlight his ability to play long innings. His wicketkeeping record is also notable, with dozens of catches and several stumpings, demonstrating reliability behind the stumps.
His inclusion in the Pakistan ODI squad against Bangladesh is on the back of his stellar run in the recently concluded President’s Trophy Grade-I, a four-day first-class competition.
Ghouri emerged as the second-highest run getter in the tournament, amassing 531 runs in seven matches at an average of 48.27, including two centuries and a half-century.
List A Cricket
In contrast to red-ball cricket, Ghazi Gouri’s List A numbers are underwhelming. Still early in his career, he has played over 17 List A matches, scoring 206 runs at a meagre average of 20.60 with the help of a half-century.
T20 Cricket
Ghazi Ghori has also gained experience in T20 cricket, which has become an essential format in modern cricket.
In 19 T20 outings, he has scored 227 runs, while maintaining a strike rate above 112.37. Although his T20 career is still developing, the format has allowed him to showcase his adaptability as a wicketkeeper-batter.
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
Ghori has also been associated with the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He has been linked with Islamabad United, one of the league’s successful franchises. The right-hander was picked by United in PSL 10.
Why are Pakistan Selectors interested?
Ghazi Ghori’s inclusion in Pakistan’s extended player pool reflects a broader strategy by selectors to invest in young domestic performers, as selectors often look for players who can add balance to the squad, and wicketkeeper batters are particularly valuable in modern cricket.
Several factors likely contributed to his selection:
- Strong First-Class batting average above 40
- Reliable wicketkeeping skills
- Experience across multiple domestic tournaments
- Exposure to professional franchise cricket
What’s next for both batters?
The inclusion of Shamyl Hussain and Ghazi Ghori in Pakistan’s squad reflects a growing emphasis on bringing new talent within the national setup. While established stars continue to form the core of the team, emerging players from domestic cricket are increasingly being given opportunities to prove themselves.
Their batting order could pose a selection dilemma if they perform well once the senior batters come into the fray.
Shamyl Hussain’s impressive batting record, particularly in First-Class and List A cricket, highlights his potential as a technically sound top-order batter capable of anchoring innings.
Meanwhile, Ghazi Ghori’s performances as a wicketkeeper-batter in domestic cricket underline his ability to contribute in multiple roles, offering Pakistan an additional option in a position that demands both reliable batting and sharp work behind the stumps.
For Pakistan cricket, integrating such players into the national environment is not only about immediate performance but also about long-term planning.
Exposure to international standards, training camps, and high-level competition will allow these young cricketers to refine their skills and prepare for future challenges.
As Pakistan continues to rebuild and strengthen its squad, the progress of players like Shamyl Hussain and Ghazi Ghori will be closely watched.
If their domestic form translates successfully onto the international stage, they could soon become regular names in Pakistan’s cricketing landscape if not thrown away from the lens.
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