What each international cricket team could look like in 10 years

Pakistan

17-year-old Shaheen Afridi has been described as Pakistan's version of Mitchell Starc

Pakistan are one of the most youthful teams in international cricket at the moment. Stars such as Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali already have a ton of experience and still have many years ahead of them.

My picks for the openers are Imam-ul-Haq and Rohail Nazir. While Ahmed Shehzad will still technically be eligible for selection, Imam-ul-Haq should really develop his technical ability over the next few years. Looking at his performances in the recent National T20 League, Imam should also easily be able to develop his attacking game, making him a complete player. Rohail Nazir looks like the most likely wicket-keeping successor to Sarfraz Ahmed and gets in my XI due to the fact that his role is an opening batsman as well.

In the middle order, the number three and captain is Babar Azam. Babar is still only 23 but has already become the No. 3 T20I and No. 5 ODI batsman in the world. Joining Babar in the middle order are Hussain Talat and Asif Ali. Both Talat and Asif have been very impressive for Islamabad in the PSL and look very much like the future of the Pakistan middle order.

My picks for the all-rounders are Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz. I have gone with six bowlers as this is clearly Pakistan's strength as well as the fact that each of these players' batting ability is satisfactory. Faheem and Nawaz are both only 24, with Shadab Khan only 19, and the extra pacer plus the right-arm leggie and left-arm off-spinner is a very good combination.

Choosing the pacers was the hardest part. While Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali's inclusions are self-explanatory, choosing between Usman Khan, Rumman Raees and Shaheen Afridi was very difficult. While Usman Khan and Rumman Raees are both world class, I have chosen Shaheen Afridi, as I think he could develop quickly and become an international megastar.

2028 Pakistan XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Rohail Nazir (WK), Babar Azam (C), Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi.