All you need to know about Kings XI Punjab's latest recruit Mujeeb Zadran
Day 2 of the much anticipated IPL auctions belonged to a new face from Afghanistan, the very young Mujeeb Zadran. All of 16, Zadran became the third Afghan player to be bought by an IPL franchise, after Mohammed Nabi and Rashid Khan, who made their debuts for Sunrisers Hyderabad last year and retained their place in the same team this year on the back of some good performances. Zadran was brought by the Kings XI Punjab for a hefty amount of Rs. 4 crores. Here is all you need to know about the latest entrant in IPL’s club of crorepatis.
#1 Zadran was born on March 28, 2001, in Khost district of Afghanistan. He is a right-arm off-break bowler and occasionally handy with the bat as a right-hand batsman. He grew up in a big mansion, and in one of his most recent interviews to Cricbuzz, he revealed, "We have a huge playground, a series of guest houses and even a small zoo." Majeeb lost his father when he was very young and was brought up by his maternal uncle.
#2 Inside the mansion is also the Noor Cricket Academy which was set up by Mujeeb's cousin Noor Ali Zadran. Noor Ali also plays international cricket for Afghanistan.
#3 Being born in 2001 makes him the first player born in the 21st century to play in the ODIs from among all teams. 1he is also the ninth youngest to play ODI cricket. Sachin Tendulkar was just 14 days younger when he debuted against Pakistan in 1989.
#4 Zadran made his ODI debut for his country against Ireland in December 2017 and instantly shot to fame with four wickets on his debut. The 16-year-old took 4-24 from 10 overs in the United Arab Emirates.
#5 He has played a total of 3 ODIs for Afghanistan in which he has claimed 7 wickets at an economy of 3.86.
#6 Zadran, with his sensational bowling, took Afghanistan to their first U-19 Asia Cup victory when they beat Pakistan. He took 20 wickets in the tournament held in Kuala Lumpur.
#7 He also claimed 17 wickets against Bangladesh in a bilateral Youth ODI series. In 9 List A matches he has 14 wickets and in 7 T20s, he has claimed 5 wickets.
#8 Zadran is also a part of the on-going U19 World Cup in New Zealand, in which he grabbed a four-wicket haul against NZ U19 on January 25. His figures of 4/14 in 10 overs were simply fantastic.