Mild and composed, Taufeeq is one of the newer additions to the glut of Pakistan openers attempting to make their mark in the team.
The gutsy left-hander burst onto the international scene in Pakistan's Test win over Bangladesh in August 2001, scoring the second century in the innings to become the eighth player from his country to achieve the feat on debut.
His emergence in one-day cricket came two months later with a less than spectacular 10 against Sri Lanka at the Sharjah Stadium.
After more than a year's absence from the limited-overs game, Taufeeq returned in style to form a useful partnership with Salim Elahi against Zimbabwe in November 2002.
Scores of 76 and 68 helped boost his batting average to exactly 30.00.
Taufeeq appeared in the under-19 World Cup in 2000, as well as under-15 World Cup in England in 1996, where he helped Pakistan finish runners-up to India.