Lahore Blues won the 2025 National T20 Cup, defeating Peshawar in the final. Here are six players whose tournament performances could earn them a call-up to Pakistan's T20I squad.
Sahibzada Farhan
M: 7 | 605 runs at 121, SR 189.65, HS: 162*, 3 hundreds, 2 fifties
The discarded Pakistan opener has been in roaring form, becoming the first cricketer to record two 130-plus scores in a single T20 tournament. Farhan’s last seven innings – 62, 76, 162, 26, 148, and 17 – highlight his dominance. With 605 runs at an average of 121 and a strike rate of 189, he scored the most runs by a Pakistan batter in a single T20 competition.
Although he was named Player of the Tournament, his efforts didn’t secure a trophy for Peshawar after a failure in the final. Still, his exploits earned him a late PSL contract with three-time champions Islamabad United, having been initially ignored in the draft.
Having last played for Pakistan in December last year, Farhan could push for an international comeback with an impressive PSL season.
Hassan Ali
M: 4 | 13 wickets at 10.38, Ec 7.38, BBI: 4-42
The pacer has been in and out of the Pakistan squad in recent years, last playing a T20I in May last year. Yet, he remains a prominent figure in the domestic circuit, consistently putting in the hard yards. Representing Sialkot in the National T20 Cup, he finished as the highest wicket-taker of the season, boasting the best strike rate (7.38) among bowlers with at least three wickets.
With Pakistan’s bowling attack exposed during their 1-4 T20I series defeat in New Zealand, the selectors might turn to the seasoned campaigner once again.
The overall record, however, still belongs to a match from 1999 between Scotland and Pakistan, in which there were 96 extras conceded.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 29, 2025
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Salman Mirza
M: 7 | 11 wickets at 15.09, Ec 6.55, BBI: 4-21
Mirza finished as the joint second-highest wicket-taker, with his numbers underscoring how difficult he was to score off. His left-arm angle and raw pace gave him an added edge. The defining moment came in the final for Lahore Blues, where his spell of 4-21 dismantled Peshawar’s batting lineup, restricting them to a meager 110-9. The match-winning performance earned him the Player of the Match award in the summit clash.
Pakistan's T20I squad is in transition. With Shaheen Afridi struggling - going wicketless in five of his last six T20Is - Mirza's emergence provides Pakistan with a ready-made, like-for-like replacement option.
Usama Mir
M: 4 | 9 wickets at 8.77, Ec 4.93, BBI: 3-13
Mir is another out-of-favour player who strengthened his case for an international recall with a strong showing for Sialkot. The wrist-spinner has previously struggled with control, as evidenced during Pakistan’s dismal 2023 ODI World Cup campaign. This time, however, he was right on the money – his guile giving batters little respite. His excellent numbers speak for themselves: no other player took more wickets while maintaining a better economy rate, making his performance particularly noteworthy.
Mohammad Faiq
M: 5 | 228 runs at 76, SR 205.40, HS: 116*, 1 hundred, 1 fifty
Pakistan’s decision to drop seniors Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam signals a clear intent to revamp their batting approach – adopting a more aggressive mindset from the outset. Faiq’s strike rate as an opener perfectly fits this new template. His consistency further bolsters his case, epitomized by an unbeaten 116 off 56 balls for Lahore Whites against Larkana - his second century in just seven tournament innings, complemented by two additional fifties. This builds on last season's dominant 110 off 60 balls against Sialkot.
Hussain Talat
M: 7 | 9 wickets at 14, Ec 7, BBI: 4-14 | 44 runs at 14.66, SR 73.33, HS: 24*
Talat has not only led Lahore Blues authoritatively but has also been a vital cog in their bowling attack. His most notable performance came in a group match against Islamabad, where he claimed 4-14.
Pakistan’s search for a reliable all-rounder has been an ongoing concern. In recent years, they’ve experimented with several options – Jahandad Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, and Shadab Khan – with mixed results. Though Talat contributed little with the bat during Lahore’s victorious campaign, Pakistan’s ongoing squad overhaul could open the door for his recall.
Having last played for Pakistan four years ago, Talat’s record – two half-centuries and just four wickets in 18 matches – suggests his primary strength lies in batting. However, his recent bowling form may give selectors renewed confidence in his all-round abilities.
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