The Breakout Cricketers of 2018

2018 has been an unforgettable year for the cricketing world. From Chennai Super King's fairytale IPL season to the dreadful ball-tampering actions of Cameron Bancroft, it has had its share of ups and downs.

The year has overseen a number of talented youngsters don their country colors for the first time. While some players have excelled in their trade, the others have succumbed to the pressures of international cricket. Walking along the same lines, here are five young cricketers who have had breakout years with their respective countries.

Honorable Mentions: Khaleel Ahmed (India), Keemo Paul (West Indies), Imam-ul-Haq (Pakistan), Shimron Hetmyer (West Indies) and Prithvi Shaw (India).

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#5 Rishabh Pant (India)

Pant has cemented his position in the Indian set-up

Ever since his exploits in the 2016 ICC U-19 World Cup, Rishabh Pant has been destined for greatness and has also been touted to be MS Dhoni's successor in the limited overs formats. Although the Delhi keeper appeared in the famous blues of India last year, it was 2018 that Pant was able to fully establish himself at the international level.

Making his test debut in the middle of a heated contest with England, Pant was adept to the task with the gloves on and proving to be competent with the bat as well. In the fifth and final Test at the Kennington Oval, with India on the verge of defeat, Pant smashed a wonderful century against the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad to cement his position in the Indian Test setup.

He backed it up with a strong showing against West Indies at home with a pair of 92 in his two outings with the bat in the home series. With Pant already earning plaudits from all corners, West Indies felt the wrath of Pant in the third T20 when he sent their bowling attack on a leather hunt with a quickfire fifty.

While Pant's ongoing Australia tour proceeding along decently, he has already been earmarked and groomed for the wicket-keeper spot post-2019 World Cup. With exposure to quality attacks for a considerable period of time, Pant could be the answer as to how India could replace Dhoni.

#4 Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)

Shaheen Afridi is considered by many as the next Wasim Akram

Pakistan has constantly produced quality left-arm pacers and Shaheen Shah Afridi is the newest product of the fast bowling factory that Pakistan seems to have. Initially coming into prominence with his pace and swing at the ICC U-19 World Cup 2018, Afridi took people by surprise with astonishing performances in the Pakistan Super League with a best of 5/4 against Multan Sultans.

Soon after, Shaheen was fast-tracked into the Pakistani set-up and he delivered right away. The youngster has great stats with as many as 11 and 13 wickets in 7 T20 and 6 ODI matches respectively. With his talent and performances looking large upon the selectors, Afridi was drafted into the test side as well with the youngster making his debut against New Zealand.

In the two tests he got to play, Afridi took 13 wickets and repaid the faith put into him by the selectors and team management. His ability to get the ball to swing and the possession of a good yorker makes Shaheen Afridi a dangerous asset even at the tender age of 18.

While the potential for his breathtaking talent is limitless, Shaheen Afridi must be taken care of by the PCB to sustain his ability and write his name into the cricketing folklore.

#3 Lungi Ngidi (South Africa)

Ngidi is one of South Africa's go-to bowlers in all three formats after a stellar 2018.

Another express paceman to come out of Durban, Lungi Ngidi has the ability to seam it both ways and clock speeds in excess of 140 kph. Replacing veteran Dale Steyn in the second Test against a formidable Indian side led by an in-form Virat Kohli, Ngidi took the cricketing world by storm with an exceptional six-wicket haul at the Centurion accounting for the likes of Kohli and Lokesh Rahul.

While South Africa have been on the search for a pacer with the perpetual absence of Steyn and the retirement of Morne Morkel, Ngidi has provided them another dimension to their already strong bowling line-up. Along with Kagiso Rabada, Ngidi has already been earmarked for greatness.

With age on his side, Ngidi can only get better and can easily lead the attack for South Africa for at least 10 years. With a glittering start to his test career with 15 wickets in just four tests, Ngidi has been sensational with the white ball in hand too. 26 wickets at an average of 23.04 against quality oppositions in Australia and India just add to his booming resume.

With the 2019 ICC World Cup looming large, Ngidi will have a major role to play in alongside Rabada and co.

#2 Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan)

Mujeeb is one of cricket's premier spinners in the shorter formats

Afghanistan has taken giant strides this year in international cricket ever since qualifying for the 2019 ICC World Cup from a near-impossible scenario. Their biggest find has been Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who has shown tremendous skill and temperament to establish himself as one of the best spinners in the world at a tender age of 17.

Like Shaheen Afridi, Mujeeb also came into prominence in the 2018 U-19 World Cup where Afghanistan shockingly made to the semi-finals. With a sense of mystery around him, Mujeeb was drafted into the senior team for the ICC World Cup qualifiers, providing the youngster with a suitable platform to showcase his skills. Mujeeb was able to overshadow his fellow spinner, Rashid Khan also as he went to become take the highest wickets in the tournament with the off-spinner picking up four wickets including Chris Gayle in the final.

After a fairly good IPL with the Kings XI Punjab alongside his idol, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mujeeb has grown as a bowler with the youngster bowling most of his over in the powerplay itself with the new ball. Despite having a forgetful test debut, Mujeeb has shown enough promise in the shorter formats where he averages below 20 in both formats.

Given the time and opportunity to refine his skills for the longer formats, Mujeeb could be the complete package with even the best batsmen unable to pick him as was the case with Virat Kohli in an IPL match at Bangalore. Currently aged 17, Mujeeb has all the credentials to lead Afghanistan to greater success in international cricket.

#1 Sam Curran (England)

Sam Curran has impressed one and all with his unique skill-set

The best young player to come out in 2018 has to be the highly-rated Sam Curran. The younger brother of Tom Curran, Sam was picked in the second Test against Pakistan in Headingly with the Englishmen already having lost the first Test.

Although Curran didn't have much of a say in his debut test, he stunned the Indians with his awe-inspiring swing bowling and gritty lower-order batting throughout the five-match series. Curran scored 272 runs in the four matches he played and was one of the major reasons why England were a step ahead of India on most occasions.

While his tally of 13 wickets doesn't tell one much, his frightening spell in the first Test at Birmingham was an indicator that he had the potential to become one of England's best. The former England U-19 captain was adjudged England's Man of the Series for his exploits in the series and was rightfully drafted into the limited overs set-up against Australia and Sri Lanka.

Although he hasn't been able to replicate his test form in the shorter format, Curran is already considered to be amongst the best all-rounders with Kings XI Punjab splashing out £800,000 (₹7.2 crore) for him. With England already investing on the Surrey all-rounder, Curran is sure to be ranked amongst the greats upon his exit.