IPL 2020: Afghanistan U19 pacer Fazal Haq Farooqi turns up as net bowler for Kings XI Punjab

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to get underway from September 19, with the final to take place on November 10. IPL acts as an ideal platform for budding cricketers who are looking at playing for their respective national teams as it provides them an opportunity to rub their shoulders with the legends of the game and learn cricketing skills from them.

Afghanistan’s Fazal Haq Farooqi is one such player who will get the opportunity to play with the veteran cricketers. The U19 team’s promising left arm fast bowler has been roped by the IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) as a net bowler for the 2020 edition of the IPL. The paceman will bowl to few of the greatest batsmen of the modern era including the likes of KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell and many others.

The 19-year-old had made headlines in the U19 World Cup 2020 where he had performed brilliantly with the ball for the Afghanistan team. He has so far appeared in 12 first-class matches taking 22 scalps at an economy of 3.77. Fazal was spotted by KXIP scouts during the U19 World Cup and his impressive performance earned him a place in the squad as a net bowler.

Fazal Haq Farooqi’s Instagram story revealed the news

The Punjab team had reached the gulf country on August 20 and after serving a mandatory six-day quarantine period and undergoing the various rounds of coronavirus tests, they started their training on August 27 (Thursday). He posted a picture of him in the KXIP kit and on his Instagram story. He was also seen training with the team at the same time.

Ahead of the IPL, in a statement to Indian tabloid, Fazal had expressed his desire of being a part of the tournament in future following his country-mates Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and youngster Mujeeb ur Rahman who are also part of Kings XI Punjab’s bowling line-up.

“I am glad I have got the opportunity because IPL is a huge platform for me to grow as a player and to be with world-class players. I’m sure it is going to be a wonderful experience for me.” he added.