Young stars who have caught our eye this PSL season

It’s only been a week into the ongoing season of Pakistan Super League, and we have already been introduced to a crop of young talented cricketers who may be making a case for their inclusion in the national team soon.

Here’s a look at some youngsters who have caught our eye so far:

Haris Rauf

Haris Rauf has impressed everyone with his insane pace and destructive bowling. A find of Lahore Qalandars' player development programme, the fast bowler helped his team to a dramatic 22-run victory against Karachi Kings on Saturday, living his dream with a four-wicket haul to bag the Player of the Match award.

For Haris, a 25-year old from Rawalpindi, that day was nothing short of a fairy tale. Because a little over a year ago, he was working as a salesman at a local shop and had never played professional cricket with a hard ball.

Fast forward to this PSL, he has taken five wickets from three matches so far, at an economy of 7.11, and there are already talks of him being a prospective Pakistan cricketer.

Umer Khan

Not many 19-year olds can say they have had the honour of taking the wicket of AB de Villiers, one of the greatest names in modern cricket. But Umer Khan is no ordinary teenager.

A native of Pakistan's tribal FATA belt, spinner Umer Khan has come a long way from bowling at discarded tyres in the nets. He was spotted and picked for Karachi Kings, and he has turned heads with three wickets from two matches at an enviable economy of 5.66.

The highlight of his PSL career so far is the wicket of AB, who he managed to cramp up and force into playing a wrong shot.

Ali Shafiq

Multan Sultans saw a star in the making in Ali Shafiq, a 22-year old right-arm medium from Sialkot who bowled a brilliant two for 11 with an economy of 2.75 against Islamabad United on Saturday.

He was awarded Player of the Match after he helped his team to a five-wicket win against the defending champions.

Shafiq has taken 59 wickets in 14 first-class matches at an incredible economy of 2.77. He also has 17 wickets from 16 List-A games, and is definitely one to watch out for.

Ibtisam Sheikh

After impressing in last year's PSL with his bowling and fielding skills, Ibtisam Sheikh is back this year and is continuing to wow fans.

The 20-year old leg-break spinner hauled two for 14 as Peshawar Zalmi beat Lahore Qalandars by seven wickets on Sunday. He also took two catches in the match.