Pakistan’s national cricket team was teetering on the brink of another dramatic collapse in the final of the One-Day International (ODI) tri-nation series against Sri Lanka. Needing 125 runs off just 79 deliveries with five wickets down, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore fell into tense silence until 21-year-old all-rounder Arafat Minhas stepped up to the crease, completely altering the trajectory of the encounter.

Showing remarkable maturity under immense pressure, Minhas launched a counter-offensive, smashing 61 runs off only 31 balls, decorated with towering sixes that shifted momentum squarely back to the hosts. His match-winning display secured the championship trophy for Pakistan and earned him the player of the series accolade, capping off a campaign in which he registered 149 runs and claimed nine wickets.

This decisive performance closely followed an extraordinary outing against England in Rawalpindi, where Minhas dismantled the visitors' batting lineup by taking six wickets for 40 runs after contributing 59 with the bat. Even England's captain, Harry Brook, was left visibly stunned at the crease after being comprehensively bowled. With that feat, Minhas joined legends Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq as only the third Pakistani to achieve a half-century and a five-wicket haul in a single men's ODI.

The athlete's meteoric rise is deeply rooted in his father Kashif’s unyielding dedication. Having been forced to abandon his own cricketing aspirations to manage a family automobile showroom, Kashif transformed the rooftop of their Multan residence into a full-fledged practice net during the 2020 lockdowns. His methodical guidance is now yielding extraordinary results, with Arafat’s brother Sameer also breaking into the senior Test squad and the youngest sibling following closely in their footsteps.

Source: www.aljazeera.com