- Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar has registered for IPL auction.
- The 15-year-old right-arm off-spinner will be auctioned in Kochi on December 23.
- The 19-year-old made his debut in the Shpageeza League.
Afghanistan’s Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, a 15-year-old right-arm off-spinner, has registered for the December 23 Indian Premier League auction in Kochi. The youngest player in the IPL auction, Ghazanfar, tried to sign up for the Big Bash League auction earlier this year but was unsuccessful.
Those who have watched him play think that Ghazanfar fits the mould of Mujeeb Zadran, a well-known finger-spinner in both franchise leagues and international cricket.
Ravichandran Ashwin, an Indian spin ace, is Ghazanfar’s inspiration. He has set a base price of Rs 20 lakh (INR). “Ashwin has been India’s top spinner, and I appreciate his variety. I’ve always thought of him as my idol,” Ghazanfar said on Sportstar on Tuesday from Kabul.
Ghazanfar, who is 6 feet 2 inches tall, is a native of the Paktia province’s Zurmat area. Given his height, he began as a fast bowler but gradually switched to a spinner under the watchful tutelage of the former Afghanistan captain Dawlat Ahmadzai. The boy said, “I used to play tennis ball cricket in my neighbourhood, but with my coach’s help, I started bowling spin. Soon, I developed an action, and there hasn’t been any turning back since,” he said.
His buddies translate for him because he can understand Hindi, but he finds it difficult to speak. Ghazanfar, though, wants to reassure the franchises that a barrier to communication won’t exist. “My ultimate goal is to play for Afghanistan. I’ve played a lot of junior cricket. I am particularly looking forward to the IPL because it will let me to learn a lot from the Indian and international players, which will help me get better at my game. I’m hoping a franchise will choose me,” he remarked.
He participated in local U-16 tournaments before getting the chance to train with the Afghanistan U-19 team and making his Shpageeza League debut for Mis Ainak Knights. In his second encounter against Hindkush Stars, he took 4 for 15, giving him five wickets in three games. Ghazanfar, who later competed in the Junior Pakistan Super League, said, “I love testing the hitters with my spin, and the experience of playing in the Shpageeza League has been incredibly helpful.”
I played some junior cricket, and I think I have the ability to compete at a higher level, the player added. The youngest of the six brothers, he and his family currently reside in Kabul.
And Ghazanfar, one of the eight Afghan players who have signed up for the auction, intends to strike it rich when the players are put up for bid in Kochi the following week!
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