Who is Muhammad Huraira? 5 interesting facts about the uncapped Pakistan batter picked for Bangladesh Tests
Pakistan has announced a 17-member squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The first game is scheduled to start on August 21 in Rawalpindi, while the second will begin on August 30 in Karachi.
Both teams last met in the Test series in Bangladesh in 2021, which the visitors won by 2-0. This will be Pakistan’s first assignment since the series against Australia, which they lost 3-0.
Pakistan squad for Test series against Bangladesh: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamer Jamal (subject to Fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Shan Masood will continue to lead the side, while middle-order batter Saud Shakeel has been appointed as his deputy. One player in the squad who has been in the headlines for his consistent performance in domestic cricket is Muhammad Huraira.
The 22-year-old has been in sublime form for some time and will be looking to make the most of the opportunity in the Bangladesh series. In this article, we will look at five interesting facts about the uncapped Pakistan batter as he aims to make an impact on the international level.
#1 Muhammad Huraira played in the Under-19 World Cup for Pakistan in 2020
Muhammad Huraira was in the Pakistan squad for the Under-19 World Cup in 2020. The Men in Green crashed out of the tournament by losing to India in the semi-final game by 10 wickets. Huraira had a disappointing outing, as he was dismissed on four.
He won the Player of the Match award in the quarter-final game against Afghanistan. Chasing a target of 190, Muhammad Huraira was brilliant for Pakistan. The right-handed batter scored 64 off 76 balls as Pakistan won the game by six wickets.
#2 He became the second youngest batter to score an FC triple-century after Javed Miandad
During the 28th match of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in December 2021 between Balochistan and Northern, Muhammad Huraira became the second youngest batter to score an FC triple-century after Javed Miandad. Batting first, Balochistan scored 305 runs in the first innings, courtesy of a brilliant 190-run inning by Shan Masood.
In reply, Muhammad Huraira was on fire for Northern. He scored 311 off 343 balls, smashing 40 boundaries and four sixes as Northern declared their first inning at 621/4.
Balochistan was bowled out for 146 runs in the second inning as Northern won the game by an inning and 170 runs.
#3 He was part of the Pakistan squad in 2023 for the series against Sri Lanka
Well, this is not the first time the right-handed batter has earned a Pakistan call-up. Muhammad Huraira was selected for the two-game series against Sri Lanka in 2023 but didn’t get an opportunity to show his talent.
Pakistan dominated the series as they won the first game by four wickets. In the second game, they defeated the hosts by an innings and 222 runs. However, this time around, it’s highly likely that Huraira will make his debut in the series against Bangladesh.
#4 Scored a double-century in a Test match against Bangladesh A in July 2024
During the first unofficial Test match between Pakistan A and Bangladesh A held in July 2024, Muhammad Huraira scored a double-century.
After being asked to bat first, Pakistan-A declared their first innings at 467/3. Kamran Ghulam remained unbeaten on 100, while Huraira scored 218 runs off 247 balls, hitting 25 boundaries and one six.
The right-handed batter didn’t come to bat in the second innings. Meanwhile, Pakistan A won the game by 148 runs.
#5 The right-handed batter has an average of more than 50 in first-class cricket
Muhammad Huraira has earned this call-up to the Pakistan team due to his consistent performance in domestic cricket. The right-handed batter has played 39 first-class matches. Huraira has scored 3431 runs at an average of 56.24, including 14 fifties and nine centuries.
Meanwhile, he has amassed 546 runs in 21 List-A matches, with one fifty and a ton to his name. The 22-year-old will be looking to make an impact in the coming series against Bangladesh and show his talent on an international level.