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The Afghanistan Men's National cricket team was established under the Pakistan Cricket Board in the early 21st century. Upon becoming a member of The International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001 and joining the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in 2003, this North Asian country secured international representation in gentlemen's sports. Notably, Najibullah Zadran, a left-handed batsman with the ability to bowl right-arm off break, played for the national cricket team in all formats and also served as the team's leader when necessary.
Najibullah Zadran, born in 1993 in the centre of Kabul, is a talented dual player who has represented Afghanistan's cricket team at both national and international levels. He caught the attention of local coaches due to his impressive skills at a young age and was eventually appointed as the vice-captain of Afghanistan's National cricket team for the Twenty20 International format.
In 2010, Nazibullah Zadran debuted for the Pakistani team in the World Cup, which was a significant start for him. He was selected for the Under 19 Pakistan team and scored an impressive century. Later, he played a crucial role in the T20 World Cup 2011 competition for his country. His outstanding performance led to his selection for Afghanistan's National side in 2012. 2018 he was named captain for Afghanistan's Under 23 Emerging Asia Cup Event. In the same year, he scored his first century against Ireland. In his first-class matches, Zadran scored 306 runs with 3 half-centuries out of 5 matches. He accumulated a total of 2626 runs, including 1 century and 21 half-centuries in 106 List-A matches, with his best score being 104 runs.
Despite causing chaos and discussion among international cricket teams, Zadran's bold playing ability was appreciated during his 2020 international debut against India.
In 2018, he participated in the Global T20 Canada tournament as well as the Afghanistan Premier League for Chittagong Vikings and the Bangladesh Premier League for Kandahar. As the captain of the Afghanistan Cricket team, he has impressed with his exceptional batting skills and in-game challenges. He achieved his first century during his One Day International debut against Ireland in 2019.
Following his impressive debut, Zadran achieved even more remarkable tournament performances. In 2021, he served as a vice-captain for an Islamic country in the ICC World Cup, making his first appearance in the competition. He also played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL). During his time with the team, Zadran scored 59 runs in just 34 balls, helping to secure a victory of 130 runs against Ireland.
Nazibullah has consistently performed well in limited-overs cricket, contributing crucial runs for Afghanistan in important matches. He has been fortunate to participate in various leagues and tournaments, which has added to his success. However, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has not recognised his value compared to other nations, and his salary only amounts to around $400 to $700 per month (despite having a net worth of around 35 crores).
Najibullah Zadran's journey from Paktia's cricket grounds to international stardom is an inspiring tale of determination and passion. He has made significant contributions to Afghan cricket and continues to play a vital role in the national team. As Afghanistan's cricket landscape evolves, Zadran remains a key figure, and fans anticipate more impressive performances from this rising star.
FAQs
What was Najibullah Zadran's role in the Afghanistan national cricket team?
Najibullah Zadran played as a middle-order batsman for the Afghanistan national cricket team. He was known for his aggressive batting style and ability to score quick runs
What was Zadran's last ODI?
Zadran played his last ODI on 5th September 2023 against Sri Lanka.
What was Zadran's last T20 International?
He played his last T20 international on 27th March 2023 vs Pakistan.
