In the upcoming months, a lot of exceptional young players hope to leave their imprint on the sport. While some of these names will be recognizable, others haven’t had an opportunity to shine on the global stage.
These young cricketers could make a big impact on the tournament. Some of the players are still largely unknown outside of their home nations, but with time and growth, they could become big names. Since all of these players are under 25, they still have a long career ahead of them in terms of experience. So let’s take a closer look at some of the most exciting young cricketers in the world right now.
1. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
Within a short period, Rashid khan became a worldwide renowned player. Since he first appeared on the scene as a young leg spinner, he has been at the pinnacle of his abilities. The leg spinner should anticipate spending many more years at the top after turning 24 in 2022.
He exerts pressure on batters by moving quickly through the air while keeping a stump-to-stump line. His main weapon is a precise googly, and he has several different versions. He has transformed numerous average totals into ones that have helped his team win games when he has the bat in his hand. He is more than skilled of glade the boundary late in an innings.
Regarding his statistics, Rashid will aim to surpass the landmark of 300 international wickets in 2022. He has already recorded seven wickets in ODI (One Day International) and Test cricket, and T20 franchises all over the world are clamoring for his services.
2. Aiden Markram (South Africa)
One of the best young players to emerge from South Africa in more than ten years, Aiden Markram is one of the game’s most gifted batters.
He pulls the ball incredibly effectively and plays the cover drive with a great deal of grace. His first international century came recently in Pakistan when he played a Test match.
As a captain in 2014, Markram contributed to South Africa’s victory in the U-19 Cricket World Cup. He was also the tournament’s player of the year.
3. Naseem Shah (Pakistan)
Naseem Shah is one of several young Pakistani bowlers who can deliver at high speeds; he might even be the fastest of them all. Having turned 19 in February 2022, he is also the youngest player on this list.
It was only a matter of time before everything clicked for him because of how talented he was. In only his second match, he took five wickets against Sri Lanka in Karachi, making history as the youngest fast bowler to do so in a Test. In his third Test against Bangladesh, Naseem broke the record for the youngest player to take a hat-trick in a Test match.
Later, the spinner went on to win 26 wickets in his first 11 tests. Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, he has the opportunity to return to the country where his international career got its start and demonstrate how far he has gone. Naturally, he also considers how much further he still has to go.
4. Sam Curran (England)
At the age of 17, Curran had an impressive Championship debut against Kent at The Oval by taking five wickets in the first innings and eight overall. He had a tiny build and moved quickly with his left arm, demonstrating an early aptitude to stroke the ball into the right-hander.
Sam Curran’s services were lost to England in 2021 due to injuries, and the side might have utilised his skills in a challenging year for the national team.
When he turns 24 in 2022, he will be looking for a year free of injuries that will allow him to reestablish himself in the national team. Sam Curran has great numbers across all formats, but it’s believed that going forward, limited-overs cricket will be where he shines most.
5. Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)
Shaheen Shah Afridi, a left-arm seamer with swing and pace, is already well-known internationally for Pakistan. He is only 22 years old, yet in 2022, he will have played in 100 international matches across all three formats.
Shaheen Shah Afridi currently has more than 200 international wickets, according to his stats. He has six five-wicket hauls across all formats of the game, with 6/31 in a Day International being his best performance. His performance in international cricket has been outstanding, but many believe Shaheen is only getting started.
Conclusion
For cricket enthusiasts, the approaching months will be an exciting period. It’s difficult to predict which players will become the future stars. Many nations will be hopeful that one of these young players can win the gold at the following World Cup because there is so much quality coming up through their ranks.
