KL Rahul walked up and shared his experience with us after our first Test against India: Afsar Zazai [Interview]

Afsar Zazai blew the trumpet of his repertoire to cement his place in the national side quite early on in his career. At the age of just 16, he was included in Afghanistan’s squad for the 2010 Under-19 World Cup. It is a no-brainer that when one talks about Afghanistan and wicket-keeping, the name that would strike one’s thoughts is that of Mohammad Shahzad.

However, it was Afsar Zazai who received the honors of donning the keeping gloves for Afghanistan in its inaugural Test match. The keeper-batter made his First-Class debut in an Intercontinental Cup match against the Netherlands in Sharjah. He had exuded his flair by hitting an unbeaten 84 in the second innings to help his team to emerge triumphant by three wickets.

From five Test matches, he has chipped in 172 runs whereas he has mustered 264 runs from 17 ODIs so far. CricTracker caught up with Zazai for an exclusive interview wherein he opened up on various aspects. From featuring in Afghanistan’s first Test match to idolizing MS Dhoni, Zazai spoke about many such fascinating things.

Here are some excerpts from the interview:

The laziest cricketer in the Afghanistan team is?

Mohammad Shahzad

Your all-time favorite cricketer?

MS Dhoni

An Afghani dish everyone must try

There are a lot of tasty dishes but I will go with Mantu.

Your career’s best moment

When I made my first-class debut in 2012 against the Netherlands. Our team was struggling, the wicket was green, was helpful for fast bowling and I made 84* to help the team win the match.

Your favorite movie

Amir Khan’s movie Mann

If not a cricketer what would you have been?

I was good in studies so maybe Engineer or Doctor.

Sky Diving or bungee jumping?

Sky Diving

If Rashid Khan, Shoaib Akhtar, and MS Dhoni call you at the same time, whose call will you answer first?

King Rashid Khan, no doubt. Because he is closest to my heart and also my teammate.

IPL team you would like to play for?

Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore

What is your most useless talent?

Mobile games

Your biggest weakness?

Nature beauty

The best cricket stadium in the world is?

Adelaide Oval.

The app you use most on your phone?

For chat Whatsapp and for timepass I watch TikTok a lot.

Which Afghan cricketer googles himself the most?

Hashmatullah Shahidi

Tell us a funny incident from the Afghan dressing room

We were playing a match in the Intercontinental Cup against Ireland and we were in a spot of bother, the day three was about to end. I got out just 10-15 minutes prior to tea. When I came to the dressing room, Asghar Afghan told me to keep playing well, he had no idea that I had got out.

A celebrity you would like to go on a dinner date with?

MS Dhoni

One young cricketer who has impressed you the most?

Afghanistan’s Under-19 players Riaz Hasan. He is a stylish player. I think he will play well for the country in the future.

Two words to describe Mohammad Nabi

Legend, Cool and Calm guy.

The last person you called

My friend

If you won the lottery what will you buy first?

Tshirts

A place you will like to visit

Switzerland

You last played your ODI game back in 2017. How tough is the competition for the wicketkeeper’s slot?

It has been tough for me. The competition is really tough for a wicket-keeping slot as there are a lot of good guys. I am trying to make the most of the chances I get in Test cricket. I am trying to make a comeback in ODIs and T20Is as well by performing in the domestic circuit. Hard work is on I hope I make my comeback soon.

You have said that MS Dhoni is your idol, since childhood. What is the most important lesson that you have learnt from Dhoni?

Dhoni is a legend. He is extremely calm and cool. He reads the match situation really well, he is a mastermind.

You were involved in an unfortunate car accident last year and suffered minor head injuries. Have you recovered completely from the injuries? How did it affect your cricket?

That was a tough situation for me. I never experienced something like this before. I have recovered completely and I am fit and fine.

How have things impacted the cricket of Afghanistan after the recent turmoil in the country? How difficult it is to get things on track?

It is not in our control. What we have in our control is playing good cricket for Afghanistan and making the country proud and keep the flag always high.

You were a part of Afghanistan’s first-ever Test against India. How was the experience? Do you remember any conversation with any of the Indian cricketers? If yes, please share

It was a big day for us. We learnt a lot from that Test match. KL Rahul walked up to us and shared his experience with us. And I hope we play more Test matches against India in the future.