Afghanistan have been a hot-bed for spin bowlers, producing world-class tweakers in the international circuit. Since the emergence of Rashid Khan, Afghanistan have also given world cricket the likes of Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Noor Ahmed. Next in the line, who has already become a household name in franchise leagues across the world, is mystery spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar.
Ghazanfar is an IPL champion already, having been part of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad in the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the IPL 2025 auction, Mumbai Indians roped in the young spinner for a mammoth Rs 4.80 crore but an injury ruled him out of the tournament, and further from the Champions Trophy as well. The 18-year-old grabbed headlines with his stellar showing during the 2024 U-19 World Cup where he finished with eight wickets in four matches. He continued to impress and even won the Player of the Match award in the Emerging Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka ‘A’ as Afghanistan went on to clinch the title.
Currently, part of the ongoing tri-series against the UAE and Pakistan, Ghazanfar, talked about his cricketing journey, the influence of Rashid and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Afghanistan’s chances in the Asia Cup, and more.
Excerpts from the Exclusive interview:
Q) How did your cricketing journey start?
Ghazanfar: I started playing cricket in Kabul. I started with tennis-ball cricket and used to be a fast bowler. I used to bat, field and bowl quick. Then I joined an academy where I met my coach, Rozi Khan. At that time, I used to do everything: Bowl fast, spin, bat; whatever you needed (me to do).
I used to try everything with the tennis ball. He told me to start bowling regularly and asked what I wanted to do. I told him that spin bowling is my main strength. From there, I worked hard with him for the next three months and got a call-up to Afghanistan’s Under-16 (squad). I became the highest wicket-taker for Afghanistan Under-16 and then I joined Afghanistan Under-19.
I was a net bowler in the Shpageeza Cricket League. There I saw Azhar Afghan and how he went out about his business, and started learning more. I bowled against him as well. There was one player from Pakistan in that team, Mir Hamza. He went back. And I was informed about a vacant spot in the team and from there I got my chance.
I remember my debut in the Shpageeza League, it didn’t go well. After that Daulat Ahmadzai and Asghar Afghan lifted my mood up and gave me the confidence I needed. Daulat was a very good coach, he was captain at one point during his career. He worked a lot with me, developing my skills, my body, my bowling, my mindset. From there, I got a chance in the Under-19 team but didn’t perform well and got dropped. I wasn’t picked for the tri-series against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. After getting dropped, I realised I couldn’t afford to do the mistakes I was making at that time and returned to the Under-19 fold soon after.
I played 10 matches and was the highest wicket-taker in 7 or 8 games in that. I did well in the Under-19 World Cup and joined the High-Performance Camp for red-ball and white-ball cricket. I got a call-up in the national team. It was a very happy and proud moment. You will see a lot more of me in the Afghanistan team in the coming days and years.
Q) You are just 18. Since you play a lot of cricket around the world, people keep hyping you. How do you take that?
Ghazanfar: I am not on social media much. I use only Instagram and Whatsapp. If I get along well with someone, an experienced player, an old player, a legend, people always speak positively about me, that’s what I have noticed. I don’t want to get carried away. Social media opinions can quickly change. I just want to keep doing what I do the best, that is to play cricket. I am just getting started and there’s no scope of getting carried away.
Q) Your name is there in Afghanistan’s preliminary squad for the Asia Cup. If picked, what would be your aim?
Ghazanfar: If I am picked in the Asia Cup squad, I will be used to the UAE conditions, and some of the opposition players as well. If I get the call-up, it will be my first time playing in the Asia Cup. Top players around, my focus will be to show what I am capable of, give my best for Afghanistan and win them matches. God willing, if I get chances, I aim to be the highest-wicket taker in the tournament.
Q) You are a Ravichandran Ashwin fan but what influence have Rashid Khan and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman had on your career?
Ghazanfar: Rashid and Mujeeb are legends. They have played very well for our country. Mujeeb is my best friend. Mujeeb and Rashid supported me a lot when I joined the national team. Rashid, in particular, has backed me a lot. Rashid has more experience on the ground. He is the best T20 spinner. He always shares those experiences with us, having achieved greatness in his career. How to bowl during a particular situation, sharing the mindset, plans. He has helped me a lot. I am just grateful to them. All the kids in Afghanistan look up to Rashid and Mujeeb.
Q) Although you are yet to play a game in the IPL, how was the experience? Firstly for KKR and then getting picked by Mumbai Indians for a hefty amount, though injury ruled you out of the last season.
Ghazanfar: IPL is the best league in the world with the best players, coaches, and infrastructure in the world. Everything is the best. The KKR experience was great but I couldn’t play. It was great to be picked by five-time champions Mumbai Indians too, they showed confidence in me. But I got injured. Hopefully, next year, I will have that experience of playing in the IPL. If I play, I know I will improve further, what I need to do to go to the next level.
Q) How are you looking to improve your game? People talk about your variations, change in pace, cleverness. But what are the areas you are targeting in order to get better?
Ghazanfar: I will try to improve my overall game. I have a lot of variations but I want to improve it, master it. I don’t use many variations during serious matches. I want to master them first before executing them in big matches. If I get to improve those variations, I will be able to deceive batters in big matches. I am always looking to develop my skills. The learning never stops.
Q) What is your goal in your career, with Afghanistan and your personal goals?
Ghazanfar: I always remember where I started and what I wanted to do when I was younger. I want to play all the formats: T20, Test, ODIs. I want to be the best version of myself. I want to bring my country and myself up in the rankings. I want to be one of the best bowlers in the world.
Q) Apart from Dawlat Ahmadzai, Asghar Afghan, Rashid and Mujeeb, who else has helped you settle down so smoothly in world cricket at such a young age?
Ghazanfar: Cricketing-wise, all the seniors have been kind enough. I told you how Dawlat Ahmadzai and Asghar Afghan helped me when I was still coming through in the Shpagheeza Cricket League. After coming to the national team, it was Rashid and Mujeeb. Off the field, my manager Kaustuv Lahiri has been very helpful in my career. He manages everything well for me, explains everything to me. He asks me to stay patient and never drop my intensity. Such things help you evolve as a player and as a human.
Q) One final question, can Afghanistan win the Asia Cup?
Ghazanfar: We have a balanced team. Experienced and youth players are there. Our team has been doing well for the last 3-4 years. Afghanistan can win the Asia Cup. Our batting, bowling, spinners are packed. It’s a stacked team. It will (come down to) how we execute our plans out on the field. God willing, we will lift the Asia Cup. I am confident we can do it.