IPL 2021: CSK rope in Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi as a net bowler

Afghanistan’s national cricket team has taken giant strides in international cricket in the past few years. In the meantime, they have also produced several good players for franchise T20 leagues around the world. Young pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who recently made his international debut has now been roped in as a net bowler by Chennai Super Kings for the upcoming IPL. 

Several Afghanistan players like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Qais Ahmed, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Zahir Khan have been top picks in some of the T20 leagues around the world. Having said that, the Afghanistan cricket system has produced many spinners who have been impressive or valuable in these leagues. 

Now with Farooqi getting picked up as a net bowler, it will hopefully inspire young bowlers to take up the sport. The difference between Farooqi and other players coming out of Afghanistan is that only that he is a fast bowler while the country is known for producing several spinners. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi recently made his debut for Afghanistan

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) informed the fans by updating the news of Farooqi’s selection via a tweet. “Young Fast bowler @fazalhaqfarooq6 left to India where he is roped in as a net bowler by @ChennaiIPL for the upcoming season of @IPL!,” the tweet from ACB read.

The young pacer has been a part of the Afghanistan U19 team in the past. The left-arm fast bowler is an interesting prospect as far as the young age group players from the country are concerned. He hasn’t played too much of T20 cricket but clearly, the CSK management has seen something in this young kid, because of which they signed him. 

The 20-year-old recently made his debut for Afghanistan. He appeared in one T20I against Zimbabwe in the recent series which was played in Abu Dhabi. He bowled four overs in that match by just conceding 27 runs. Farooqi also got a wicket during the match. Other than that, he has experience of playing 12 first-class, 6 List A and two T20s, one of which was the international which he played. He has 22 first-class, 6 list A and one wicket in T20s.