Mujeeb Zadran: Afghanistan 16-year-old who made dream international debut
Born on March 28, 2001, Mujeeb Zadran of Afghanistan has become the first male cricket player born in the 21st century to play International cricket. At the age of 16 years and 252 days, he also becomes the youngest Afghanistan player and 9th overall, to play ODI cricket.
The right-arm off break had a dream debut against Ireland, taking 4 wickets and just giving away 24 runs with 4 maidens in his 10 over spell. He now holds the joint-best figures for an Afghan bowler on ODI debut with Shapoor Zadran. Afghanistan thrashed Ireland by 138 runs in the first one-day international played in Sharjah. Mujeeb Zadran was named the Player of the Match.
The teenager has been making headlines in the cricket world over the last couple of months. In September, the Afghani took 17 wickets against Bangladesh in the Youth ODI series becoming the highest wicket-taker in a bilateral Youth ODI series.
He was the highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded U-19 Asia Cup held in Malaysia. He took 6 for 28 in the semi-final against Nepal helping his team to reach the finals. In the finals against Pakistan, he bowled a magical spell with the figure of 5 for 13 and helping his team to clinch the maiden U-19 Asia Cup. Afghanistan defeated Pakistan by a huge 185-run margin.
With 20 wickets in the series, Zadran was named the Player of the Tournament.
His performance in the Youth Asia cup earned him a contract from Bangladesh Premier League franchise Comilla Victorians.
Afghanistan has certainly found another spin prodigy after Rashid Khan who has been among the best spinners in world cricket in last one year.
Zadran could well be another teen sensation for his country. The spin combination of these two could give nightmare to any opponents in the world.