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Faheem Ashraf
Pakistani cricketer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.
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Early life and career
Hw 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]
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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
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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 2022 home Test series against Australia, Ashraf was praised for delivering a disciplined and controlled spell that created key wicket-taking opportunities early in the innings. His ability to maintain tight lines and generate movement made him effective in applying pressure, even on unresponsive pitches. Analysts noted that his control and persistence with the ball often created openings for Pakistan’s attack, underlining his value as a supporting seamer capable of sustaining pressure through accuracy and work rate.[39]
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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.[40] 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.[41]
In December 2021, he was signed by Islamabad United following the players' draft for the 2022 Pakistan Super League.[42]
Other leagues
In September 2018, he was named in Paktia's squad in the first edition of the Afghanistan Premier League tournament.[43]
In July 2022, he was signed by the Galle Gladiators for the third edition of the Lanka Premier League.[44]
In August 2022, he was signed by Hobart Hurricanes for BBL 12.[45]
Faheem Ashraf has been appointed as the captain to lead Pakistan in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024.[46]
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Playing style
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Faheem Ashraf is regarded as a seam-bowling allrounder who combines control with the ball and useful lower-order contributions with the bat. He has often been described as bringing balance to Pakistan’s Test side, offering a fifth-bowling option capable of maintaining discipline through sustained spells.[47]
Bowling
Although not among the fastest bowlers in Pakistan’s attack, he is noted for his ability to extract movement and maintain consistent lines that provide relief for frontline pacers.[47] Before establishing himself in the national side, Ashraf was primarily deployed as a third or fourth seamer, known for providing balance to Pakistan’s bowling attack.[48]
Batting
With the bat, Ashraf is known for his aggressive but composed stroke play in the lower order. He has produced several significant innings under pressure, including an unbeaten 78 against South Africa and a 91 in New Zealand, both of which underlined his ability to stabilize the innings when top-order failures occurred.[49] He worked extensively with coaches before Pakistan’s 2018 tour of Ireland and England to strengthen his batting technique, resulting in composed and technically sound innings at Malahide and Lord’s. A product of Pakistan’s tape-ball cricket culture, Ashraf retains the improvisational flair and aggressive instincts of that background.[48]
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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.[50]
See also
References
External links
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