Though Afghanistan are relatively new to the International cricket scene. They have been creating impact by playing some high level matches against the top cricketing nations. They even came close to upset Team India in the 2019 World Cup. India was the top ranked team and were dominant against most of the teams, but Afghanistan played some spirited cricket to come close to almost upset India. The Men in Blue, Eventually managed to win the match by 11 runs.
In T20I, Afghanistan has played 81 matches with 55 times being on the winning side. This gives them a 68% winning rate, which is one of the highest at the International level. Their T20 success has mainly come from the great performances of their bowlers and also the hard hitting batsmen who are easily capable of putting up high scores on the board.
In this listicle, Cricwizz takes a look at the top 5 bowlers for Afghanistan with the highest wickets.
1. Rashid Khan (89 Wickets)
The 21-year leg-spinner is already considered to be one of the best in the world. He has claimed 87 wickets in 47 matches at a stunning average of 12.36. What makes him more phenomenal is the economy rate of 6. In the period, where the boundaries have become shorter and bats becoming heavier, the game has been completely favouring the batsman.
This young leg-spinner, however, is proving he can defy the odds. It is just a matter of time he tops the list of the best bowlers in the world. Notably, he is ranked No.1 in the ICC T20I rankings for bowlers.
2. Mohammad Nabi (69 wickets)
The former captain of Afghanistan is considered to be the best all-rounder in the Afghanistan line up. The All-rounder has claimed 69 wickets in the 75 T20I matches he represented Afghanistan. The off-spinner picks up his wickets at a modest average of 21.95 and an economy of 7.24.
He has been a regular in the Afghanistan team with his outstanding ability to be calm in tough situations. Though, his bowling records are good enough,he compliments his batting records well too.
3. Dawlat Zadran (43 wickets)
The 32-year old speedster has picked up 40 wickets for Afghanistan in the 34 matches he played for Afghanistan. He maintains a bowling average of 22.09 at a very niche economy of 7.74. He is one of the most consistent bowlers in the nation who clocks 140 at will. He bowled the fastest ball by an Afghani player in the 2014 Asia Cup clocking 145.3 Kph.
Dawlat's most significant moment in his career as a bowler came in an ICC WC qualifier warm-up match against West Indies, when his hat-trick inspired his team to a victory by 29 runs against the mighty Windies.
4. Shapoor Zadran (36 wickets)
This 6 feet, 32 year old could trouble any batsman with his boundary long run up and inclined pace. He is tall,fit and delivers at stunning pace.The pacer has claimed 36 wickets for Afghanistan in his 35 appearances for the team. He maintains an average of 24.81 and an economy of 7.91.He was the only bowler from Afghanistan to reach the double-digit wickets mark in the 2015 World Cup.
He also revealed in a recent Interaction with the press that his most significant moment was the encounter with Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, where he ended up dismissing both of them. Zadran has been an integral part of the Afghanistan team from 2010 (debuted against Scotland) till date.
5. Hamid Hassan (32 wickets)
The former Speedster played 21 T20I for Afghanistan, claiming 29 wickets at an average of 17.90. He maintained an economy of 6.77. The 33 year-old stood 6.5 feet tall and had an lanky action making it very difficult for the batsman to read him. He marked his debut against Ireland in 2010, ever since he was a regular member of the team.
He could easily clock 145 kph mark with great control. Mark Gatting once stated that he was a ‘huge potential’ for the Afghanistan team. Though, his career has been affected by regular injuries resulting in a lot of time away from cricket,he still remains one of the best bowlers Afghanistan has produced.
Cover Credits: TheAsianAge
