Hunain Shah

Hunain Shah is a right-arm fast-medium bowler, primarily recognised for his bowling prowess. Shah was born on  February 4, 2004, in the Lower Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and has represented teams such as Central Punjab and Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Hunain is the elder brother of one of Pakistan’s outrageous pacers, Naseem Shah. Hunain’s passion was ignited at a very young age, playing alongside his siblings and peers. In 2017, at the age of 13, Hunain relocated to Lahore to pursue his cricketing aspirations more earnestly. He joined the Pak Lions International Cricket Academy, a move that laid the foundation for his burgeoning career. His dedication and talent soon earned him a spot in the District Under-16 team, marking his entry into competitive cricket.

His domestic career trajectory has been marked by consistent growth and noteworthy performances. In 2020, his performance caught the attention of the Lahore Qalandars. Being impressed by his techniques and ability to generate pace through his tall height, he was selected for their development program called the Lahore Qalandars Development Program. This platform provided Hunain with exposure to advanced training methodologies and competitive matches, crucial for his development as a fast bowler. He was then selected for the under-19 team of Central Punjab Whites. He performed with fire; every delivery he bowled became a nightmare for the batsmen to face. 

In September 2022, Hunain made his senior T20 debut, representing Central Punjab in the National T20 Cup held at the Multan Cricket Stadium. In his debut match against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he showcased his potential by claiming two wickets for 28 runs in his allotted four overs, signalling his readiness for higher levels of competition. He has played 24 matches, securing 25 wickets, with 3/20 being his best figure. 

Hunain made his First-Class debut for Central Punjab in the 2022-23 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. On November 18, 2022, he secured his maiden first-class wicket by dismissing Bilawal Iqbal of the Balochistan team, a testament to his growing proficiency in red-ball cricket. He bagged 22 wickets in 10 matches in his first-class career, with 4/61 being his best figure. 

Being a local sensation, Hunain had a decent fan following; the stadiums erupted whenever he performed. His List-A debut was just beside, on December 23, 2022, playing for Central Punjab against Northern Pakistan, at Karachi in the Pakistan Cup, he couldn’t tick the wicket column.

Hunain's consistent domestic performances paved the way for his inclusion in the PSL (Pakistan Super League). Recognising his potential, Islamabad United enlisted Hunain in the Emerging category for the 2024 PSL season. This opportunity allowed him to share the dressing room with seasoned internationals and gain invaluable experience. Throughout the season, Hunain played nine matches, taking eight wickets at an average of 28.12, with his best figures being 2 for 25. His contributions were instrumental in Islamabad United's successful campaign, culminating in them clinching the championship title.

His right-arm fast-medium deliveries are characterised by consistent pace and the ability to extract movement off the pitch, making him a challenging prospect for batters. Although his primary strength is his bowling, he also adds a good power-hitting tail to the batting lineup. 

(As of July 2025)