Every few years, a teenager walks out to play for his country and makes the whole cricket world stop and watch. That happened again in July 2026, when 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played for India and became the second-youngest player ever to make an international debut.
So who is the youngest of them all? The short answer: Pakistan's Hasan Raza, who played his first international match at just 14 years and 227 days in 1996.
Here is the full list of the top 5 youngest men's cricketers to debut in international cricket (among full-member nations).
Top 5 youngest international debutants: quick list
Rank | Player (Country) | Age at debut | Format | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hasan Raza (Pakistan) | 14 years, 227 days | Test | Zimbabwe | 1996 |
2 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (India) | 15 years, 99 days | T20I | England | 2026 |
3 | Mohammad Sharif (Bangladesh) | 15 years, 116 days | ODI | Zimbabwe | 2001 |
4 | Mushtaq Mohammad (Pakistan) | 15 years, 124 days | Test | West Indies | 1959 |
5 | Aaqib Javed (Pakistan) | 16 years, 127 days | ODI | West Indies | 1988 |
1. Hasan Raza (Pakistan) – 14 years, 227 days
Hasan Raza holds the record for the youngest international debut of all time. He played his first Test for Pakistan against Zimbabwe in Faisalabad in October 1996, when he was only 14 years and 227 days old.
His age was later questioned, as birth records from that era were not always clear. Even so, the ICC still lists him as the youngest men's international cricketer. Raza never became a big star, playing just seven Tests, but his record has stood for almost 30 years.
2. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (India) – 15 years, 99 days
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the newest name on this list and the reason the topic is hot again. The young left-hander made his India debut in the second T20I against England in Manchester on July 4, 2026, at the age of 15 years and 99 days.
In doing so, he broke Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing India record and became the second-youngest international debutant ever. He had already made headlines in the IPL and domestic cricket, so this step up felt like the natural next move for one of India's brightest young talents.
3. Mohammad Sharif (Bangladesh) – 15 years, 116 days
Bangladesh's Mohammad Sharif is third on the list. The pace bowler made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in Harare in April 2001, aged 15 years and 116 days.
Injuries slowed him down, and he never quite lived up to his early promise. But his very young debut still earns him a place among the youngest ever.
4. Mushtaq Mohammad (Pakistan) – 15 years, 124 days
For a long time, Mushtaq Mohammad held the record that Hasan Raza later broke. He made his Test debut for Pakistan against the West Indies in Lahore in March 1959, aged 15 years and 124 days.
Unlike some others on this list, Mushtaq went on to have a long and strong career. He scored over 3,800 Test runs and became one of Pakistan's most respected all-rounders — proof that a young start can also lead to a great career.
5. Aaqib Javed (Pakistan) – 16 years, 127 days
Fast bowler Aaqib Javed rounds off the top five. He made his ODI debut against the West Indies in Adelaide in December 1988, aged 16 years and 127 days.
Aaqib later became a useful part of Pakistan's famous pace attack alongside Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, and he stayed in the game as a coach for many years.
Why no one may ever break Hasan Raza's record
There is a simple reason Hasan Raza's 14-year-old record may last forever. The ICC now has a rule that a player must be at least 15 years old to play international cricket. This applies to men's, women's and Under-19 cricket.
Because of this rule, no one can now debut younger than 15 — so Raza's mark is safe for good.
Youngest Indian to debut in international cricket
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is now India's youngest international debutant at 15 years and 99 days. He took the record from Sachin Tendulkar, who was 16 years and 205 days old when he made his Test debut against Pakistan in 1989. Piyush Chawla, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and Parthiv Patel are the next names on India's list.
FAQs
Who is the youngest cricketer to debut in international cricket?
Hasan Raza of Pakistan is the youngest. He debuted at 14 years and 227 days in a Test against Zimbabwe in 1996.
Who is the youngest Indian to debut in international cricket?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who debuted at 15 years and 99 days against England in July 2026, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record.
Is Hasan Raza's age record real?
The ICC officially recognises it, but his exact age has been debated over the years because old birth records were not always clear.
Can anyone break the youngest debut record now?
No. The ICC now sets a minimum age of 15 for international cricket, so no one can debut younger than Hasan Raza did.
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