Afghanistan cricket team spinner Allah Ghazanfar made history with a superb six-wicket haul to lead his team to a convincing 92-run victory over Bangladesh in the first One-Day International in Sharjah on Wednesday. The 18-year-old took 6 for 26 in 6.3 overs as Bangladesh progressed from 132/3 to 143 all out while chasing 236 runs. These were the best bowling stats in an Afghanistan-Bangladesh ODI, surpassing Shakib Al Hasan’s 5-29 in Southampton in 2019.
Ghazanfar began his cricket career as a fast bowler before former Afghanistan captain Dawlat Ahmadzai transformed him into a mysterious spinner. He made news of his outstanding performance in the 2024 U-19 World Cup when he finished with eight wickets in four matches.
That was enough to earn him a senior team call-up, and he made his ODI debut against Ireland. He continued to excel, winning the Player of the Match award in the Emerging Asia Cup final versus Sri Lanka A, as Afghanistan won the title.
The youthful spinner was also part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team that won the IPL 2024 championship. He was recruited to the roster as a replacement for Mujeeb Ur Rahman, however, he did not play any games for the franchise throughout the season.
He bowled brilliantly in the first spell, but then he bowled the no-ball, which I questioned him why (laughs). “I am very happy with the options we have on the seat,” said Afghanistan coach Hashmatullah Shahidi about the young spinner.
Najmul Hossain lamented Bangladesh’s batting slump, placing some of the blame on himself. “I think my decision turned the match,” Najmul stated. “I was the set batsman so when I got out we needed to bat harder but credit to Afghanistan spinners for how carefully they bowled.”