When most of the kids of his age are glued to smartphones, Raafid Younis is on the cricket ground dreaming to make his place for the Indian cricket team one day.  

A class 5^th student from Lyceum International School, Raafid is a cricket sensation from Pulwama. After getting inspired by watching the young boys playing at his home ground, he started playing cricket at the age of 7. To further hone his skills, he enrolled himself in Umar Nazir Cricket Academy and is getting training there from the past 2 years.

Calling his coach, Umar Nisar, his inspiration, Raafid can bowl and bat too but he likes to call himself a leg spinner.

“I have played a number of matches in Jammu too and there I met Abdul Samad and Umran Malik. I have been following Afghanistan’s cricketer Rashid Khan’s bowling style so that one day, I will start bowling like him,” he said. 

Raafid belongs to a family of cricket enthusiasts. His brother also plays the game and his father owns a local cricket team, Haji 11.

“On my way to the academy, I keep in my mind that I have to learn new techniques and do better. I always set my target and try to achieve during my practice sessions,” he said.

At the age of 9, in his debut match, he took 5 wickets. “Whenever there is a match. I am called to play. I play with young cricketers too who praise my bowling skills. My father wants me to be a cricketer and I am working hard to make his dream come true,” he said.