Khawaja Nafay

Khawaja Muhammad Nafay is a burgeoning right-handed batsman who has quickly become one of the most talked-about young talents in Pakistan’s white-ball circuit. Born on February 13, 2002, in Karachi, his rise to fame is a quintessential modern-day story; he was discovered by the Quetta Gladiators’ management after they reviewed videos of his batting on Facebook. This 'viral' beginning led to a professional debut in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with the Chattogram Challengers in early 2023, followed by a standout 2024 PSL season. He made history in the PSL by scoring 60 off 31 balls against Lahore Qalandars while facing only a single dot ball—a record for any innings of over 30 balls—cementing his reputation as a fearless middle-order power hitter.

As of January 2026, Nafay has successfully transitioned to the international stage, making his T20I debut for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in Dambulla, where he impressed with a quickfire 26 off 15 balls. His explosive potential has earned high praise from global stars like Ravichandran Ashwin and Tabraiz Shamsi, both of whom have labeled him a 'player to watch' for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. He was recently named in Pakistan’s 15-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, where he is expected to serve as a versatile middle-order option and a backup wicketkeeper. With dominant performances in the 2025 Hong Kong Sixes and a retention by Quetta Gladiators for the 2026 PSL, Nafay is poised to be a central figure in Pakistan's quest for global silverware.