Karachi is known as a breeding ground for exceptional cricket talent, but the path from the city’s famous tape ball streets to the professional arena is filled with fierce competition. One young cricketer who has successfully navigated this grueling journey is Muhammad Taha.
From representing Karachi at the Under-16 level to wearing the national colors for Pakistan Under-19 and the Pakistan Shaheens, Taha has consistently proven his mettle. Having also been part of the Pakistan Super League, the talented all-rounder is currently a vital cog for PTV in departmental cricket and the Karachi regional team.
We sat down with Muhammad Taha to discuss his journey, his experiences sharing a dressing room with international superstars, and his ultimate dream of playing for Pakistan.
Q: Please tell us about your journey?
Muhammad Taha: Like most people in Karachi, I started my journey with street cricket and tape ball. Slowly, I developed into a professional cricketer. I started with Karachi Under-16, then moved to Pakistan Under-16. After that, I got the opportunity to represent Pakistan Under-19, followed by the Pakistan Shaheens. For the past three years, I have been playing first-class cricket, representing PTV in the departmental games and Karachi in regional cricket.
Q: Who inspired you to start playing cricket, and who supported you during your early days?
Taha: In the early days, your biggest support is always your family. For me, it was my parents and my close friends. As for my journey, I never really followed anyone specific. From the very beginning, I just knew I wanted to play cricket. I have been working hard for this dream ever since, and God willing, I will play for Pakistan very soon.
Q: What kind of challenges does a young player face in Karachi cricket, considering it is such a huge region with so much competition?
Taha: There are many challenges because almost everyone you compete against is an international player. You have to step up to match that standard. My focus is to accept whatever challenge comes next as soon as possible and continue representing my region.
Q: You got early success and performed very well for Pakistan Under-19. After that, you also played for Pakistan Shaheens, which is the Pakistan A team. How was your overall experience from Under-19 to Pakistan A?
Taha: It is a tough journey because you do not have much experience at the Under-19 level. When you mature and move toward Under-21, which is when you really start to understand the game. I have been trying hard, though I could not perform as well as I wanted over the last two years. However, for the last three years, I have been playing consistently for my department and region. My goal is to keep this journey moving forward.
Q: Despite giving good performances, if you aren’t selected, how do you motivate yourself to continue performing?
Taha: It gets difficult because you have to fight through everything in life to achieve your main goal. Hurdles will come, but you must not let your focus slip away. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. I try to make sure that what is gone is gone, and what is ahead is next, so I just focus on practicing for the tournament right in front of me.
Q: You are known for hitting big sixes in local tournaments in Karachi, however, you play patiently in four-day tournaments. Which format do you prefer personally?
Taha: I personally prefer white-ball cricket, specifically one-day matches. But like I said, if four-day cricket is coming up, I practice and bat according to the longer format’s requirements. Likewise, if white-ball cricket is next, I adjust my game accordingly.
Q: Alongside batting, you bowl too. How much time do you give to batting and bowling? Do you consider yourself an all-rounder or a batter who can also bowl?
Taha: I try to keep improving my bowling alongside my batting as much as possible so that I can bowl for my team whenever they need it.
While he views himself primarily as a batsman who bowls when needed, his T20 bowling stats are highly efficient, picking up 10 wickets in 22 overs at a very impressive average of 13.30 with an economy of 6.
Q: You’ve played first-class cricket, List A cricket, T20 cricket, and you were part of the PSL twice. Which is your most memorable performance?
Taha: I scored a double century while playing for PTV. That remains the most memorable performance of my career so far.
Muhammad Taha scored 226 runs off 321 balls for PTV against KRL in a drawn President’s Trophy Grade I match on January 23, 2025, at the State Bank Stadium in Karachi. The innings included 17 fours and 9 sixes.
Q: How was your experience in the PSL when you got to share a dressing room with international and foreign players?
Taha: I learned a lot, and the experience was incredible. Although my own performances were not up to my expectations, the environment helped me grow as a cricketer. I played in the PSL back in 2022, where I learned so much from my coaches, my Pakistani international teammates, and the foreign players. I intend to apply everything I learned so it keeps helping me down the road.
Q: Where do you see your career five years from now?
Taha: My ultimate goal is to play for Pakistan, Insha’Allah, and I am putting in the hard work for it. Right now, I have my eyes set on the upcoming domestic season. I will try to perform better and better in the immediate tournaments ahead. I haven’t planned for the long term like five years out.
Q: Name a Pakistani superstar, current or former, with whom you’d like to do a net session?
Taha: Babar Azam. It is my dream to bat alongside him. He was part of the Karachi Kings in 2022 when I was there. I spoke with him and learned a lot. Whenever I get the opportunity, I would love to share a net session with him.
Q: You are part of the Karachi regional team. How do you view your journey from where you began to now playing in main tournaments for Karachi?
Taha: Of course, it feels great to represent a massive region like Karachi. But my mindset is to keep it simple, avoid putting extra pressure on myself, and stay focused entirely on the matches right in front of me.
With a level headed mindset, a solid work ethic, and invaluable experience already under his belt, Muhammad Taha represents the resilient spirit of Karachi cricket. He is currently an active force in the national circuit, representing the Karachi Blues in regional competitions and anchoring the batting line up for PTV in departmental tournaments. With his eyes set squarely on the upcoming domestic calendar, he remains one of Karachi’s brightest prospects pushing hard for a spot in the national team.
