Afghanistan's Ghazanfar Spins Bangladesh to Crushing Defeat

Afghanistan’s Ghazanfar Spins Bangladesh to Crushing Defeat

Afghanistan’s young spin sensation, Allah Ghazanfar, etched his name in cricket history with a remarkable six-wicket haul that propelled his team to a resounding 92-run victory over Bangladesh in the first ODI encounter in Sharjah.

The 18-year-old mystery spinner, who began his cricketing journey as a fast bowler, showcased his exceptional talent by dismantling Bangladesh’s batting lineup. His figures of 6 for 26 in 6.3 overs proved decisive as Bangladesh collapsed from a promising 132/3 to a disappointing 143 all out while chasing a target of 236 runs.

Ghazanfar’s performance marked the best bowling figures in an Afghanistan-Bangladesh ODI match, surpassing Shakib Al Hasan’s 5-29 at Southampton in 2019. His brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award, further cementing his status as a rising star in international cricket.

Ghazanfar’s journey to the top has been marked by hard work and determination. After being converted into a spinner by former Afghanistan skipper Dawlat Ahmadzai, he made a name for himself with his impressive showing during the 2024 U-19 World Cup, where he claimed eight wickets in four matches.

His performances at the youth level earned him a senior team call-up, and he made his ODI debut against Ireland. He continued to impress, winning the Player of the Match award in the Emerging Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka A as Afghanistan clinched the title.

Ghazanfar’s talent has also caught the attention of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who added him to their squad as a replacement for Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Although he did not play any matches for KKR in the 2024 campaign, his inclusion in the squad is a testament to his potential.

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi praised Ghazanfar’s performance, saying, “He is a special talent and has a good future for Afghanistan. He bowled well in the first spell, but he bowled that no-ball and I asked him why did he bowl a no-ball (laughs). I am very happy with the options we have on the bench.”

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain rued his team’s batting slump, acknowledging that his own dismissal played a crucial role in the defeat. “I think my wicket turned the match,” said Najmul. “I was the set batsman so when I got out we needed to bat longer but credit to Afghanistan spinners for the way they bowled.”

IPL 2024: KKR Replaces Mujeeb with Ghazanfar, RR Signs Maharaj

IPL 2024: KKR Replaces Mujeeb with Ghazanfar, RR Signs Maharaj

IPL 2024: Mujeeb Ur Rahman Out, Allah Ghazanfar In for Kolkata Knight Riders; Keshav Maharaj Joins Rajasthan Royals

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has witnessed a flurry of roster changes as teams bolster their squads for the upcoming season. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have made significant additions to their bowling departments, with the former replacing injured spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman with his Afghan compatriot Allah Ghazanfar, while the latter has signed South African veteran Keshav Maharaj.

KKR’s Ghazanfar Replacement

Mujeeb Ur Rahman, KKR’s mystery spinner, has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. In his place, the franchise has acquired the services of 16-year-old Allah Ghazanfar, a rising star in Afghan cricket. Ghazanfar made his international debut earlier this month in the ODI series against Ireland, although he failed to pick up any wickets in the two matches he played.

However, Ghazanfar’s impressive performance at the recently concluded Under-19 World Cup has caught the attention of KKR. He was Afghanistan’s second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming eight wickets at an average of 16.75. Ghazanfar has also played six List A matches and three T20s, showcasing his versatility as a bowler. He joins KKR for his base price of INR 20 lakhs.

RR’s Maharaj Acquisition

Rajasthan Royals have signed South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj as a replacement for fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who is currently recovering from surgery. Maharaj, a seasoned campaigner, has played 50 Tests, 44 ODIs, and 27 T20Is for South Africa, amassing a total of 237 wickets in international cricket.

Maharaj has also gained valuable experience in T20 leagues around the world, including stints with Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20 and Fortune Barishal in the BPL. In this year’s SA20, Maharaj claimed 15 wickets from 13 matches, demonstrating his ability to make an impact in the shortest format of the game.

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