IPL 2023 auction: Who is 15-year-old Afghanistan spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar?

IPL 2023 auction: Who is 15-year-old Afghanistan spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar?

Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is considered not just an extravaganza but many times, it has and will keep unearthing top-class cricketers. A 15-year-old Afghanistan spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar has enrolled himself for the upcoming IPL auction, which is scheduled to take place on December 23, Kochi. He has set a base price of Rs 20 lakh.

Ghazanfar is from Zurmat district in Paktia province. The 6 ft 2 inch initially started as a fast bowler before transforming into a spinner under the guidance of former Afghanistan captain Dawlat Ahmadzai. Ghazanfar is the youngest player to have enrolled for the IPL 2023 auction. He also signed up for the Big Bash League auction earlier this year, but no franchise bought him.

“I started with tennis ball cricket and would play in my neighborhood, but under the guidance of my coach, I started bowling spin, and soon, I developed an action, and there hasn’t been any looking back since,” Ghazanfar told Sportstar from Kabul on Tuesday.

This Afghan raw talent, with a height over six feet can attract the bidders of IPL among the other eight Afghanistan players. Afghanistan has already produced cricketers like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Rahman, etc.

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Ravichandran Ashwin is Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar’s inspiration

Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar
Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar and Ravichandran Ashwin

Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar is an off-spinner bowler but his action is quite similar to that of Indian veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin is known for his variations of off-spin in T20 cricket.

“Ashwin has been a champion spinner for India, and I like his variations. I have always considered him my inspiration,” he added.

After playing in the local U-16 and training under the U-19 players, the teenager made his debut in the Shpageeza League for Mis Ainak Knights. In three matches, he bagged five wickets with his best being 4/15 against Hindkush Stars in his second match.

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