Fahim Ashraf

Faheem Ashraf is a Pakistani international cricketer who represents the national side and plays first-class cricket for Faisalabad. He is an all-rounder recognized for his seam bowling and attacking lower-order batting style.

Early life and education

Ashraf was born on 16 January 1994, in the town of Phool Nagar located within Kasur, Punjab. He belongs to a Punjabi Rajput family. His father, Rana Muhammad Ashraf, works as an influential lawyer. The cricketer grew up alongside two sisters and six brothers.

He began his professional cricket journey in 2010 through the inter-district Under-19 competition in the Faisalabad region. After playing for the Faisalabad Under-19 team, he competed in a senior district-level tournament for Kasur in 2013. This performance led to him joining the Faisalabad team for the 2013–14 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Career

Ashraf scored a century on his first-class debut during the 2013–14 season. He became the leading wicket-taker in the 2016–17 Departmental One Day Cup with 19 wickets. In the 2017 Pakistan Cup, he took eight dismissals in four matches to lead the Punjab team in wickets.

His international journey began in March 2017 when he was named in the ODI squad for a series against the West Indies. Although he did not play in that series, he was selected for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. He made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka on 12 June 2017, where he took his first wicket by dismissing Dinesh Chandimal. He later earned his T20I debut against a World XI on 12 September 2017.

On 27 October 2017, Ashraf achieved a historic milestone at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. He took a hat-trick during the second T20I match against Sri Lanka—making him the first Pakistani bowler to take a T20I hat-trick. In May 2018, he made his Test debut against Ireland and scored 83 runs. He later played against England, where he recorded 3 for 60 at Headingley.

In the domestic franchise circuit, Ashraf was drafted by Islamabad United in the 2018 Pakistan Super League. He helped the team win the 2018 season by taking 18 wickets. He was the leading wicket-taker of that tournament and won the best bowler award. Following his success, Islamabad United signed him again in December 2021. On 11 February 2026, the club signed him for PKR 8.50 crore.

He has also participated in other leagues, including the Afghanistan Premier League with Paktia in 2018. He played for the Galle Gladiators in the Lanka Premier League in 2022 and joined the Hobart Hurricanes for BBL 12. In 2024, he served as the captain of the Pakistan team for the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.

Personal life

Ashraf developed his playing style through the tape-ball cricket system in Pakistan. This background contributed to the improvisational and attacking traits he displays while batting. He worked extensively with coaches to refine his technique before his 2018 tours of Ireland and England.

During the 2025 Asia Cup, Ashraf faced criticism from Indian social media users regarding an Instagram story. The post included an image of Bharat Mata and comments about India alongside references to Hindus. These posts were reported to be viewed as anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiments.

Awards and recognition

The Pakistan Cricket Board awarded Ashraf a central contract for the 2018–19 season in August 2018. He was named the PCB's Emerging Player of the Year in August 2018. During the 2018 Pakistan Super League, he received the best bowler of the season award and a maroon cap.

In October 2025, he achieved his best T20I bowling figures of 4/23 in 3.2 overs against South Africa. He followed this with 2/28 in the third T20I. Because of his six total wickets, he was declared the Player of the Series.