Faheem Ashraf

Faheem Ashraf Bhikari
Personal information
Full name
Rana Faheem Ashraf Bhikari
Born (1994-01-16) 16 January 1994
Phool Nagar, Punjab, Pakistan
NicknameYoyo[1]
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[2]
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium
RoleBowling all-rounder
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 230)11 May 2018 v Ireland
Last Test14 December 2023 v Australia
ODI debut (cap 213)12 June 2017 v Sri Lanka
Last ODI8 August 2025 v West Indies
T20I debut (cap 75)12 September 2017 v World XI
Last T20I28 September 2025 v India
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2013/14–2014/15Faisalabad
2015/16National Bank
2016/17–2018/19Habib Bank Limited
2018–2024Islamabad United
2019Northamptonshire
2019/20–2022/23Central Punjab
2019/20Dhaka Platoon
2022Sussex
2022/23Hobart Hurricanes
2023/24–Faisalabad
2024Khulna Tigers
2024Lahore Qalandars
2025Fortune Barishal
2025Quetta Gladiators
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI T20I FC
Matches 17 38 68 79
Runs scored 687 322 520 3,174
Batting average 26.42 13.41 13.68 29.94
100s/50s 0/4 0/1 0/1 4/15
Top score 91 73 51 147
Balls bowled 1,908 1,516 1,039 11,064
Wickets 25 28 52 183
Bowling average 39.64 46.96 25.76 31.55
5 wickets in innings 0 1 0 7
10 wickets in match 0 0 0 0
Best bowling 3/42 5/22 4/27 6/65
Catches/stumpings 5/– 10/– 20/– 40/–
Source: Cricinfo, 14 October 2025

Rana Faheem Ashraf (Urdu: رانا فہیم اشرف ; born 16 January 1994) is a Pakistani international cricketer who represents the national side and plays first-class cricket for Faisalabad.[3][4]

In August 2018, he was one of 33 players to be awarded a central contract for the 2018–19 season by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).[5][6]

Rana Faheem Ashraf is the first Pakistani to take a hat-trick in the T20 format of the game.

Early life and career

He was born into a Punjabi Rajput family in Phool Nagar, a town located in Kasur, Punjab. His father Rana Muhammad Ashraf is an influential lawyer.[7]

He has two sisters and six brothers.[8]

Faheem began his professional cricket journey in 2010 by playing in the inter-district Under-19 competition in the Faisalabad region. Later, he played for the Faisalabad Under-19 team before being remarked in 2013, when he played at senior district-level tournament for Kasur, eventually joining the Faisalabad team for the 2013–14 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.[9]

Domestic career

Faheem scored a century on his first-class debut in 2013–14.[9] He was the leading wicket-taker in the 2016–17 Departmental One Day Cup, taking 19 wickets.[10] He was also the leading wicket-taker for Punjab in the 2017 Pakistan Cup, with eight dismissals in four matches.[11]

In September 2019, he was named in Central Punjab's squad for the 2019–20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy tournament.[12][13]

International career

In March 2017, Faheem was named in Pakistan's One Day International (ODI) squad for their series against the West Indies, although he did not play.[14] In April 2017, he was named in Pakistan's ODI squad for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.[15]

In an ICC Champions Trophy warm-up match against Bangladesh, Ashraf scored 64 runs in Pakistan's two-wicket win.[16][17] He made his ODI debut for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy on 12 June 2017, dismissing Dinesh Chandimal for his first ODI wicket.[18]

He made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for Pakistan against a World XI in the 2017 Independence Cup on 12 September 2017.[19]

On 27 October 2017, he took a hat-trick for Pakistan in the second T20I match against Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi helping team seal a series lead and became the first bowler for Pakistan, and sixth player overall, to take a hat-trick in a T20I.[20][21]

In April 2018, he was named in Pakistan's Test squad for their tours to Ireland and England in May 2018.[22] He made his Test debut for Pakistan, against Ireland, on 11 May 2018.[23][24] Ashraf scored 83 on debut against Ireland, followed by a quick 37 off 38 balls at Lord’s in the 1st Test against England, and later took 3 for 60 at Headingley, in the 2nd Test against England, Pakistan’s best bowling performance in an innings defeat.[25]

In July 2018, he took his first five-wicket haul in ODIs, against Zimbabwe, at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.[26] The following month, he was named the PCB's Emerging Player of the Year.[27]

In April 2019, he was named in Pakistan's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.[28][29] However, on 20 May 2019, he was dropped from Pakistan's squad, after they announced their final team for the tournament.[30][31]

In June 2020, he was named in a 29-man squad for Pakistan's tour to England during the COVID-19 pandemic.[32][33] In July, he was shortlisted in Pakistan's 20-man squad for the Test matches against England.[34][35]

In January 2021, he was named in Pakistan's Test squad for their series against South Africa.[36][37] In the first Test, Ashraf scored 64 with the bat.[38]

In March 2022, during Pakistan's home Test series against Australia, Ashraf bowled a disciplined spell that contributed to creating early wicket-taking opportunities. His consistent line and movement were noted by commentators as helping maintain pressure on the Australian batting lineup, even on pitches offering limited assistance to bowlers.[39]

In October 2025, in the second home T20I against South Africa, he earned his best T20I bowling figures, 4/23 in 3.2 overs.[40] In the third and last T20I he took 2/28, and was declared Player of the Series for his six wickets.[41]

T20 franchise career

PSL career

In November 2017, he was drafted in by Islamabad United from Gold category (earning between US$50,000-US$60,000) in the 2018 Pakistan Super League players draft.[42] Faheem played an integral part in team's winning the 2018 season. Faheem took 18 wickets and scored runs in crucial moments for his side. He was the leading wicket-taker of the tournament and won the best bowler of the season award at the end of the season along with a maroon cap.[43]

In December 2021, he was signed by Islamabad United following the players' draft for the 2022 Pakistan Super League.[44]

Other leagues

In September 2018, he was named in Paktia's squad in the first edition of the Afghanistan Premier League tournament.[45]

In July 2022, he was signed by the Galle Gladiators for the third edition of the Lanka Premier League.[46]

In August 2022, he was signed by Hobart Hurricanes for BBL 12.[47]

Faheem Ashraf was appointed captain of the Pakistan team for the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024 tournament.[48]

Playing style

Faheem Ashraf is a seam-bowling all-rounder known for his control with the ball and lower-order batting contributions. In Test cricket, he has been described as providing Pakistan with an additional bowling option capable of maintaining consistent spells.[49]

Bowling

Although not among the fastest bowlers in Pakistan's attack, he is noted for his ability to extract movement and maintain consistent lines, complementing the efforts of the frontline pacers.[49] Before establishing himself in the national side, Ashraf was primarily used as a third or fourth seamer, contributing as a supporting option within Pakistan’s bowling attack.[50]

Batting

With the bat, Ashraf has been recognized for his attacking style in the lower order. He has played several important innings under pressure, including an unbeaten 78 against South Africa and a 91 in New Zealand, both scored in situations where Pakistan's top order had struggled.[51] Before Pakistan's 2018 tour of Ireland and England, Ashraf worked extensively with coaches to improve his batting technique. During the series, he played measured innings at Malahide and Lord's. Having developed through Pakistan's tape-ball cricket system, Ashraf's style reflects the improvisational and attacking traits associated with that background.[50]

Controversy

Allegations of anti-Indian and anti-Hindu sentiments

During the 2025 Asia Cup, a few months after the Pahalgam attack, an Instagram story Ashraf posted, which included comments about India alongside an image of Bharat Mata and references to Hindus, was criticized by Indian social media users as anti-India and anti-Hindu.[52]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Keep calm and celebrate like a #Prince – The story behind Islamabad United nicknames". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Faheem Ashraf Biography". Crictoday. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  3. ^ "Faheem Ashraf". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  4. ^ "Meet the new faces in the Pakistan Test squad". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  5. ^ "PCB Central Contracts 2018–19". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  6. ^ "New central contracts guarantee earnings boost for Pakistan players". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Faheem Ashraf Age, Height, Cricketer Profile, Biography, Family, House, Pics, Bowling & Batting Videos". Sporteology. 31 October 2017. Faheem Ashraf hails from a well-settled Rajput family in Kasur, Phool Nagar area. His father Rana Muhammad Ashraf is a well-known personality in the law sector in Kasur area.
  8. ^ Das, Vishnu (24 February 2023). "Faheem Ashraf Biography". StarsUnzip. His father didn't want him to be a cricket player, as he explained in an interview on the TV show. There are two sisters and seven brothers the entire family of Faheem.
  9. ^ a b Farooq, Umar. "Who is Faheem Ashraf?". Cricinfo. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Departmental One Day Cup, 2016/17: Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  11. ^ "Pakistan Cup, 2017 Punjab: Batting and bowling averages". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
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  15. ^ "Pakistan recall Azhar, Umar Akmal". ESPNcricinfo. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  16. ^ "ICC Champions Trophy warm-up: Fahim Ashraf's knock of 64 guides Pakistan to two-wicket win over Bangladesh". The Indian Express. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  17. ^ "Fahim's blistering knock steers Pakistan to win in CT warm-up vs BD – Cricket – Dunya News". dunyanews.tv. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
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  26. ^ "Faheem Ashraf skittles Zimbabwe for 67 as Pakistan seal ODI series". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  27. ^ "Fakhar Zaman steals PCB awards ceremony". www.brecorder.com. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  28. ^ "Mohammad Amir left out of Pakistan's World Cup squad". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  29. ^ "Amir left out of Pakistan's World Cup squad". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  30. ^ "Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Asif Ali included in Pakistan World Cup squad". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  31. ^ "Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz named in Pakistan's World Cup squad". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  32. ^ "Haider Ali the new face as Pakistan name 29-man touring party for England". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  33. ^ "Haider Ali named in 29-player squad for England tour". Pakistan Cricket Board. Archived from the original on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
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  35. ^ "Wahab Riaz, Sarfaraz Ahmed in 20-man Pakistan squad for England Tests". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
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  38. ^ "1st Test, Karachi, Jan 26 - Jan 30 2021, South Africa tour of Pakistan". ESPN Cricinfo.
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  40. ^ Moonda, Firdose (31 October 2025). "Mirza, Faheem and Ayub star as marauding Pakistan make it 1-1". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
  41. ^ Rasool, Danyal (3 November 2025). "Babar 68, Shaheen three-for headline Pakistan's 2-1 series win". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
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  47. ^ "Hobart Hurricanes pick Shadab, Asif, and Faheem for BBL 12". www.geosuper.tv. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  48. ^ "Faheem Ashraf to lead Pakistan in Hong Kong Cricket Sixes". www.pcb.com.pk. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  49. ^ a b Rasool, Danyal (5 February 2021). "Faheem Ashraf – So much more than a dibbly-dobbler". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  50. ^ a b Samiuddin, Osman (8 June 2018). "Can Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf give Pakistan the flexibility they need?". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  51. ^ Rasool, Danyal (5 February 2021). "Faheem Ashraf – So much more than a dibbly-dobbler". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  52. ^ Aaj Tak (22 August 2025). Black And White: Faheem Ashraf का भारत विरोधी बयान, Asia Cup में खेलने पर सवाल | Anjana Om Kashyap. Retrieved 11 September 2025 – via YouTube.
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