Rahatullah, a right-arm seamer who played for Pakistan Under-19s, was killed by unknown assailants in Peshawar while he was on his way to join the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) squad for a domestic tournament.

According to a report published in Urdu daily Jang and also broadcast on GEO News, Rahatullah's body was found two days after he had stepped out of his house. He was 18 years old.

Rahatullah, who played for Peshawar, claimed a match haul of 7 for 145 on his first-class debut against Quetta in the 2007-08 edition of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He went on to play two more matches, ending up with 16 wickets at an average of 19.

By then he had already represented Pakistan at youth level, playing in a 'Test' match against his Indian counterparts in September 2006 before going on an U-19s tour to Australia in April 2007. He didn't take a wicket against India, but took three wickets in the three youth ODIs against Australia, with a best of 2-30.

According to the News, Peshawar authorities had recently sent a letter to Salahuddin Ahmed, national chief selector, urging for Rahatullah to be included in the NWFP team for the Pentangular Cup. It is thought that he was close to selection for the region.

Meanwhile, PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf spoke to Rahatullah's father, offering his condolences and assuring him of the board's support toward the investigation into the death. Ashraf instructed the PCB's regional representative, Anwarzeb, to meet Rahatullah's family and handover Rs.100,000 to them. Rahatullah's regional retainer-ship fee would also be given to his family on a monthly-basis till the expiry of his one-year contract.