India feels like second home to us because we have played lot of cricket there: Afghanistan spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf [Exclusive Interview]

Sharafuddin Ashraf is an all-rounder from the land of Afghans. He was a part of Afghanistan's squad for the U19 World Cup 2024 and finished as the leading wicket-taker for the team.

So far, Ashraf has played in 20 ODIs and 19 T20Is for Afghanistan. Ashraf picked six wickets for 29 runs on his List A debut against Zimbabwe A and won the Player of the Match award.

In the second unofficial Test match between Zimbabwe A and Afghanistan in 2014, Nasir Jamal, who was making his First Class debut, was given out in a rather unusual manner. He hit a delivery from fast bowler Cuthbert Musoko into the air, and as wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva was positioning himself to catch it, the non-striker Ashraf screamed loudly. This startled Chakabva, causing him to drop the catch. The umpires considered Sharafuddin's scream to be an unlawful act, resulting in Nasir Jamal being given out for Obstructing the Field.

Afghanistan have been a victim of devastating floods in the recent times. Ashraf played the role of a national hero when he came to the aid of people stuck in these floods. In an exclusive interview with CricTracker, Ashraf talked about his journey, the ODI World Cup 2023, his relationship with Ajay Jadeja, and the love that Afghani players receive in India.

Excerpts:

Please tell us about the recent floods in Afghanistan and what you did for your own people?

As national players, we always want to help our people because we are because of them. Whenever they need us, we will always be there to assist. After playing the last game in the National T20 Cup, I returned home and learned that people were suffering due to the floods. I called Rashid Khan and told him we had to do something for them. The flood caused many children to go missing, and many people were left hungry. So, we decided to quickly arrange aid for those affected. The next day, I went there with Zahir Khan and Yamin Ahmadzai to provide food and water to everyone. When we arrived, we managed to give lunch and dinner to around 300 people.

What exactly has been your journey so far? When did you decide to become a cricketer?

Actually, I think cricket was in my blood. When I was a child, I used to play cricket around the streets and at school. I always had a passion for the game. I didn't know where it would lead me or what my next target was. I didn't care about the dirt or playing under the sun. I never imagined that one day I would reach the level of international cricket. 

What has been the biggest learning so far from International cricket?

It needs true commitment. If you look at my international career, I've been there most of the time. But the guys who are playing right now (Nabi, Rashid, and Mujeeb) are at the top of their game. They are the best in the world. I've been travelling with the team for the last 10 to 15 years as a backup for them. I couldn't find the right opportunity to showcase my skills, so I waited a long time and am still waiting for it. 

What exactly is the reason behind Afghanistan producing world-class spinners?

There is a lot of talent in Afghanistan because of the people's passion for cricket. All those players who have played during hard times, bringing the game of cricket to this stage, and everyone involved in making cricket brighter and setting the platform for the youngsters, we will always be grateful to them. The platform we have received from them is extraordinary. We have a lot of potential, especially in the spin department.

Do you have any memory of your campaign in the U19 World Cup 2014?

I was Afghanistan's leading wicket-taker and was then called to the national side. I believe there should be some gap between the U19 and the national level. Players should play domestic cricket before making their international debut. This is because they need to gain maturity and experience.

When players go directly from U19 to the national team, they often lack the experience needed for international cricket. Playing in domestic cricket helps them understand their game better and perform well when they reach the national team.

In India, Shubman Gill played a lot of domestic cricket and played for India A before joining the national team. Even though he's talented, he can't immediately replace a player like Rohit Sharma. The process takes time, and focusing on A tours helps players improve and be better prepared for international cricket.

In 2018, you mentioned, "We have 11 MS Dhoni-like stories in our team." Will you share a few inspiring stories like that?

Yes, that's true. When I was in India, I saw a movie about MS Dhoni and how much he struggled in his career and starting phase. Many of our players, both past and present come from poor families. They have worked very hard to get to this level. A lot of players made big sacrifices for cricket. Now, with cricket reaching a big stage and higher levels, the money and lifestyle have improved. But it was really hard to get here before.

You were a reserve player in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Tell us about your experience in India.

We learned a lot from Sir Ajay Jadeja. His knowledge of cricket was incredible, and I learned things I never knew before. He helped us a lot during the World Cup, which was very special for me. I learned a lot from his approach to the game and the way he guided us.

Can you share an anecdote related to Ajay Jadeja?

He was very friendly and felt like family to us. He connected with us deeply because his ancestors are from Afghanistan, too, which many people might not know. His heart was really with us, and all the players were very passionate about learning from him. He told us his grandfathers were from Afghanistan, so our blood is mostly the same.

Afghanistan defeated three former World Champions, England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, in the World Cup 2023. Which was the best among the three, in your opinion?

The win against Pakistan was a huge achievement for us. We had missed beating them three or four times before, so it was a very big deal. Everyone was very excited and happy; many of us didn't sleep at all that night. It was a day we will always remember. We wanted to stop the time, but of course, the clock doesn't stop for anyone.

How do you rate Jonathan Trott as a coach? How was your experience with him? Did he give you any suggestions?

I think he's a very committed and professional man. He worked with us tirelessly, always focusing on our performance and correcting our mistakes. He never missed an opportunity to help us improve.

We had a one-month camp in Dubai with intense sessions. He managed everything very well and always paid attention to the small details, ensuring we made no minor mistakes. He is also excellent at communication and trusted me a lot and gave me a lot of confidence.

What are your personal expectations from the Afghanistan side in the T20 World Cup? Which match are you most excited about?

I believe, inshallah, they will do well, especially our team. Our players are very good and are T20 specialists with lots of league experience. They've been playing well in different leagues over the years. The match I'm most excited about is against the West Indies in the World Cup. Our players have good experience playing in the West Indies, so I hope they will succeed.

Which is your favourite IPL team?

My favourite IPL team is the Gujarat Titans because there are three Afghani players on that team.

Which team's performance was the most surprising for you?

I liked the way Sunrisers Hyderabad played and their approach to the game is very much needed for the T20 cricket format. They started really well, and they played freely well, so they had no fear in their heads and hearts. This fearless approach is something every team should consider adopting as T20 cricket evolves in the future. It's about playing confidently and freely, this is what T20 cricket is made of.

Being a bowler, do you like this approach of batters dominating the entire 40 overs in a match?

As a bowler, I feel that the wickets in Afghanistan are often more favourable to batters, which is why I started opening as well. I think this is unfair to bowlers because there should be a balance between bowlers and batters. There should be opportunities for bowlers to shine. Nowadays, the game seems to heavily favour batters in T20 cricket, which I believe is missing the balance that makes cricket exciting.

Which team would you have loved to be a part of in IPL?

I would love to play in the IPL, especially for Rajasthan Royals. However, I've noticed that left-arm spinners like Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel have struggled in recent IPL games. Finger spinners like us perform well if the wickets support spin. Wrist spinners like Rashid and Noor have been successful because they can generate more spin on such wickets.

Any message for your fans in India?

People in India are very welcoming and loving. When we visit India, we are treated with a lot of kindness and love because the Indian people have a strong connection with Afghanistan. They support us wholeheartedly when we play in India. India feels like the second home because we have played a lot of cricket there. Players like Rashid receive a lot of love from Indian fans.