Pakistan cricket’s current and next generations continue to earn global recognition, with Wisden naming four Pakistani cricketers among the 40 best young players in the world.
The prestigious cricket publication has revisited its list of top emerging male talents for the first time since 2019, when Rashid Khan topped the rankings. Six years on, the landscape looks different, with fresh names breaking through and Pakistan’s rising stars firmly in the spotlight.
The four players are Ali Raza, Saim Ayub, Hassan Nawaz, and Naseem Shah. Wisden explained that the selections were based not only on performances to date but also on long‑term potential, with a focus on players capable of excelling across formats.
For Pakistan fans, the latest rankings highlight a pipeline of exciting names. Naseem Shah, still only in his early 20s, is the highest‑rated Pakistani at No. 6, having already established himself as one of the most promising fast bowlers in international cricket. The 22‑year‑old already has 140 international wickets to his name, and his age suggests he still has a long‑term future in the national side.
Saim Ayub, meanwhile, is the next‑highest‑placed Pakistani on Wisden’s Best Young Cricketers list at No. 11. The 23‑year‑old has established himself as the go‑to opener in each format for Pakistan, and he is viewed as a batting mainstay—thanks to fearless strokeplay and adaptability across formats—for years to come.
Hassan Nawaz enters the list at No. 26, and if his first year in international cricket is any indication, Pakistan may have found a solution to their middle‑order woes for the foreseeable future. The 23‑year‑old brings confidence and flair—qualities Pakistan has lacked in recent years—and appears poised to carry the team into a new era of modern cricket.
Ali Raza sneaks into the list at No. 37, with the 17‑year‑old widely seen as the future of Pakistan’s pace attack. The youngster has already earned praise from some of the best fast bowlers of the previous generation, which speaks volumes about his ability.
The inclusion of four Pakistanis in such a competitive global list underlines the depth of young talent available to the national setup—especially at a time when questions persist about Pakistan’s ability to consistently compete with the world’s best.
For Pakistan, the message is clear: the next wave of talent is already here, and the likes of Saim, Naseem, Hassan, and Raza may well be the faces to define the country’s cricketing future.