Zairi Baig

Zairi Baig's cricketing journey began in the bustling city of Lahore, where every street corner seemed to pulsate with the game. Born on 8 February 2002, Zairi was drawn to cricket almost instinctively, captivated by the thrill of fast bowling from a young age. It was on the makeshift pitches of his neighbourhood that he began to hone his skills, often emulating his idol, Waqar Younis. Zairi's talent was evident to anyone who watched him bowl—his right-arm-fast deliveries dancing mischievously under the eyes of myriad neighbourhood cricket enthusiasts.

By the time he was in his early teens, Zairi began to attract attention from local clubs. His first significant break came when he dazzled selectors at a regional under-16 tournament, leading to his inevitable inclusion in the squad. His meteoric rise continued, culminating in his professional debut for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League at just 18 years old. The Pakistani domestic scene soon became his playground, with Zairi consistently clocking high speeds and unsettling even veteran batsmen.

Zairi's professional career is peppered with remarkable achievements. A highlight was his pivotal role in Lahore Qalandars' 2024 championship win, where he topped the wicket-takers list. His startling performance in the final—claiming five wickets—etched his name into the annals of cricketing folklore. Alongside this, Zairi holds the honour of being the youngest player to reach 100 wickets in Pakistan's Premier Domestic Tournament.

Zairi’s clashes with traditional rivals Karachi Kings are etched into fans' memories; his fiery spells against their top order often reshaped matches’ destinies. The palpable tension, the roars of the crowd, and the inevitable moment of silence as one of his deliveries knocked the stumps flying—these skirmishes defined much of Zairi’s early career.

His bowling style, often described as aggressive and unrelenting, leverages lethal pace combined with pinpoint accuracy. While his batting remains a work-in-progress, Zairi’s occasional big hits have turned tables at unlikely moments.

Yet, amid these accolades, one moment stands out. In a tense final against Islamabad United, Zairi bowled a last over that cricket aficionados celebrate—a hat-trick that not only led his team to a dramatic win but also carved his stature as a match-winner who embraces pressure with an infectious smile. Such moments reflect Zairi Baig's indelible impact and promise on the cricketing stage.

Batting Stats

Bowling Stats