The young man was batting with gusto and aplomb. He kept all the bowlers, including the experienced leg-spinner Yasir Shah, at bay. There was a touch of class in his batting and, to add to the pomp with which he hit boundaries, it felt like he had real talent to go places.

I was lucky to be at the ground on that cool day in December of 2021 when Mohammad Huraira hit an epic 311 for Northern against Balochistan at the State Bank Ground in Karachi. Sweating and haggard after his triple century, he gave me further joy by speaking fluent English and words that proved he knew what he had achieved.

Huraira became the eighth youngest cricketer ever to hit a triple. At 19 years and 237 days, the Sialkot lad also became the second-youngest batter to score a first-class triple century on Pakistan soil after Javed Miandad. Miandad was 17 years and 310 days old when he scored 311 for Karachi Whites against National Bank of Pakistan in the Kardar Summer Shield final in Karachi during the 1974-75 season. He also became only the sixth batter to convert his maiden hundred into a triple century.

Until his achievement, Huraira was in the news for being the son of former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik’s half brother.  Huraira shot to prominence at 17 when he scored 342 runs in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Under-19 one-day tournament and another 358 in the three-day event. 

Mohammad Huraira has made rapid strides in Pakistan cricket with his talent and resolve. He makes his Test debut against Sri Lanka at Galle today

That earned him a place in the Pakistan squad for the ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa in 2020. He was drafted late in the tournament but, when he got a chance, he made it count, scoring 64 runs against Afghanistan in a hard-fought and bitter match. To add to the runs, Huraira also took two catches and was declared the Man of the Match. His second outing wasn’t successful, as he managed just four runs against India, which ousted Pakistan from the event.

But once Huraira entered the first class scene, he stood out — scoring 986 runs in his maiden season (Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22) with three hundreds, inclusive of that 311, and five scores of over 50.

That was the most runs by a player in his first Pakistan season.

The next season, Huraira amassed 1,024 runs, with a title-clinching double hundred against Sindh in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final, proving that his runs a year earlier weren’t a fluke.

He was knocking at the doors of international cricket and passed the first stage with another impressive show for Pakistan Shaheens on the tour of Zimbabwe. He knocked a brilliant 178 and 64 in the unofficial Test. That earned him a call up from the PCB for the upcoming two-Test series in Sri Lanka.

Huraira is delighted. “It’s a dream for every cricketer to play for his country,” he says.

“This is just the beginning. I have to tread a long path. I was attending a camp in Lahore when I got the news that I am included in the squad for Sri Lanka, so naturally I was thrilled. I called my parents, who were equally ecstatic.”

Huraira knows that it has been a roller-coaster ride for him but he has the resolve and wherewithal to keep treading the path his grandfather and father had chosen and dreamt for him. “Yes, there have been ups and downs, but the kind of support I got from my family kept me going,” he says.  

Sialkot has a rich history of producing top-level cricketers. The charming stroke-maker Zaheer Abbas, the ever-aggressive Ijaz Ahmed Senior, the unassuming Zahid Fazal and the colourful Shoaib Malik have all graduated from the city to find recognition at the international level. Huraira was lucky that Malik lived close by and, as an uncle, was always willing to guide him.

“I belong to a cricketing family. It was my grandfather’s wish that I play cricket at the highest level. My father has always helped me. He was my first coach. He used to bowl for me when I was not even in my teens yet,” he says.

“So many cricketers say that their parents used to scold them for playing cricket when they were children,” he adds. “But I was scolded for not playing cricket. There was big support for the game at home. I really owe what I have achieved up till now to my parents and my late grandfather, may he rest in peace.”

Sialkot has a rich history of producing top-level cricketers. The charming stroke-maker Zaheer Abbas, the ever-aggressive Ijaz Ahmed Senior, the unassuming Zahid Fazal and the colourful Shoaib Malik have all graduated from the city to find recognition at the international level. Huraira was lucky that Malik lived close by and, as an uncle, was always willing to guide him.

“He [Malik] has always been a great inspiration,” Huraira says. “He always provides me with that boost of energy to play long innings. He became a childhood inspiration for me. When I scored that triple hundred, he called me and, after praising me, also reminded me that it is just the beginning — just so my feet remain on the ground,” he laughs.

“It won’t be wrong to say that cricket was chosen as a profession for me,” says Huraira, who is also attending an associate degree programme in accounting and finance from the University of Sialkot.

“It’s difficult to be on board two ships but, as a national cricketer, I do get [relaxation of rules] to play from the university. But I want to achieve in my studies as well.”

With his exploits at the crease, Huraira has won many admirers. High on this list is his former Northern team coach, Ijaz Ahmed Junior. Ijaz speaks highly of this talented batter. “Huraira’s strong points include his wanting to achieve goals, his solid temperament and good fitness,” says his former coach, who himself played two Tests and as many ODIs for Pakistan.

“Technically, he is very sound,” says Ijaz. “He knows his game. He is ambitious. He aims high and backs this up with his talent and ability. I was his coach when he scored that triple hundred. It was a reward for his hard work and ability to overcome problems so early in his career.”

Huraira’s early records are impressive: 2,252 runs in 24 first class matches, with eight hundreds and as many fifties. That is accrued at an impressive average of 68.24. “It’s just the start for me. I have aims of a long journey,” he vows.

“I live in the process and try to learn and improve with every passing day. I want to do well in Sri Lanka, if I get a chance,” he smiles.

Huraira has the pedigree, support and the talent to go places. Pakistan needs such players.

The writer is a senior cricket analyst.
He tweets @hashmi_shahid

Published in Dawn, EOS, July 16th, 2023