IPL 2018: Afghanistan players who will feature in the tournament

A team with big aspirations can always go a long way, immaterial of the financial stability they possess. 30-40 years from now, teenagers of this generation will proudly tell their grandchildren they witnessed every moment of Afghanistan‘s imperious rise. What they did for their next generation is all inspirational and fairytale stuff, which shall remain etched in people’s memory forever.

We already are seeing the results for the indomitable spirit and the incredible courage they’ve shown. The Afghanistan U19 side has entered the Semifinals of the tournament and they are being touted as the favorites to defeat Australia. When was the last time we heard Australia entering a game as the underdogs against Afghanistan? Never!

Well, this is a story to savor and preserve. Another glorious chapter of this fairytale is the way they induced bidding wars amongst IPL franchises. Cricketers these days take immense pleasure in participating in the biggest cricketing league in the world and this year, four Afghan talents managed to win IPL contracts.

Here’s everything you have to know about these cricketers.

1. Rashid Khan – Sunrisers Hyderabad | Rs. 9 Crore

One of Hyderabad’s favorite foreign cricketers, Rashid Khan has garnered a humongous fan base with his excellent rendition in the last season. After earning a sensational Rs. 4 Crore contract last year, his income has gone up two times more than last season. Kings XI Punjab managed to win him for Rs. 9 Crore, but the Sunrisers used the RTM Card to retain him.

His performances in T20 Leagues across the globe have been brilliant as well. He picked up the first ever hattrick in Caribbean Premier League history. He followed it up with an excellent exhibition of wrist spin in Bangladesh Premier League and the Big Bash. People are singing his praises after watching him bowl so beautifully on Australian tracks for the Adelaide Strikers. The upcoming season will only get tougher with the expectation pressure creeping up higher than ever before.

2. Mujeeb Zadran – Kings XI Punjab | Rs. 4 Crore

The first ever 21st century born individual to play International cricket, Mujeeb Zadran earned a massive bid. CricTracker has been predicting for a long time that he’d be getting a massive bid and the Kings XI Punjab won his services for a whopping Rs. 4 Crore. One of the youngster Millionaires in the Indian Premier League, Zadran offers variety and consistency.

He registered figures of 4/24 against Ireland on his International debut and became the youngster cricketer ever to pick up a 4-fer. He is also the only player in Youth ODI history to pick up 6-wicket hauls twice. He is currently a part of Afghanistan U19 team in the ongoing World Cup. Afghanistan aims to lift their first ever major ICC Trophy and they look firmly in contention to do so.

3. Mohammad Nabi – Sunrisers Hyderabad | Rs. 1 Crore

If ever one has to pick the finest ambassador of Afghan cricket right now, it has to be Mohammad Nabi. Already a legend for their countrymen, Nabi’s role in his International side’s sensational rise is exemplary. After getting sold for his base price in the previous IPL Auction, there was some bidding happening for him this time. Eventually, it was the Sunrisers who managed to earn him on both occasions.

He was the captain of his national side between 2012 and 2015. His stardom increased when he exhibited an unforgettable all-round display in the BPL in 2013 for the Sylhet Royals. One of the few spinners who bowls exceedingly well in Powerplay, the 33-year-old is one of the most economical spinners in the world right now. He indeed is a wonderful addition to the Orange Army. 

4. Zahir Khan Pakteen – Rajasthan Royals | Rs. 60 Lakh

Another teenage sensation from Afghanistan, Zahir Khan Pakteen is proving to be a match-winner for his U19 side in the ongoing World Cup. The left-arm chinaman bowler is working brilliantly in tandem with Mujeeb Zadran and helped their side set up a semifinal clash against Australia. If they can win that, they’ll be in the finals of a major ICC event for the first time.

Zahir played just 6 FC matches but managed to run riot in those games. He has 31 FC Wickets after his name, to go with 15 T20 in 8 games. He finished as the highest wicket-taker in Afghanistan’s Shpageeza T20 League with 15 wickets, just about pipping his senior Rashid Khan. He has that X-Factor about his which makes it difficult for the batters to pick him. He would relish the opportunity of working with Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018 under some of the biggest names in world cricket.