Ghazanfar was playing his third ODI after making his debut against Ireland earlier this year. Although he played two matches in that series, he failed to pick up a wicket, scoring 0-34 from six overs and 0-13 from four overs in each match. However, it wasn’t long before he picked up his first wicket against South Africa.

He opened the bowling, taking over the second over of the innings after Fazalhaq had allowed eight runs to Farooqi in the first, and bowled neatly, with only three runs coming from the over. He came back for the fourth over after Fazalhaq had dismissed Reeza Hendricks with the last ball of the third over. Five runs came in that over, and just a single in his next. When he came for his fourth over, South Africa were in trouble at 29-3, as Farooqi had achieved a strikeout in each of his previous three overs.

Ghazanfar bowled to Tristan Stubbs, who had not yet come into play, and sent him with a ball on the off stump that turned away. Stubbs got an outside edge that bounced off Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s pads before being safely caught by Mohammad Nabi. After that wicket, Ghazanfar sent four dots to debutant Jason Smith before getting his second wicket with the last ball of the over, making it a double-wicket maiden. After letting him bowl a mixture of variations both ways in the four previous balls, he bowled the last ball of the over outside the off and turned back inside, beating Smith completely and rattling his stumps.

He also dismissed Kyle Verreynne with the second ball of his next over, again confusing him as to which way the ball would turn and hitting him with a ball on the inside edge that again turned inside out, this time pinning him lbw. This wicket, along with Phehlukwayo was dismissed with the last ball of the overmeant that South Africa reached the end of the power play trailing by seven points, with Ghazanfar having a record of 3-9 from his first five goals.

After that wicket, he bowled the same for the rest of his part of the game. Although he did not take any more wickets, his run rate was poor. He scored just one run in each of his sixth, seventh and eighth overs, while conceding just one boundary in his ten overs. He finished the game with 3-20 from 10 and 41 dot balls.

Who is Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar?

Ghazanfar first came to international attention at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year. He took eight wickets at 16.75 in the competition, which led to him being called up to the senior Afghanistan team for their tour of Ireland in March. He was subsequently signed by KKR for the 2024 IPL, replacing fellow countryman Mujeeb Ur Rahman after the latter pulled out of the tournament with a sprained finger.

He was born in the Paktia province of Afghanistan before being signed by the Mis Ainak Knights, one of the eight regional premier teams in Afghanistan. Through his performances for the team, he became known for his ability to spin the ball in both directions as a finger spinner. In an interview earlier this year with Sports starHe said he was inspired by R. Ashwin for his variations.

“Ashwin was a master spinner for India,” said the teenager. “I like his variations. I have always considered him as my inspiration. I started with tennis ball cricket and played in my neighbourhood but under the guidance of my coach, I started bowling with spin and soon developed a movement. Since then, I have not looked back.”

Follow Wisden for all cricket updates including Live resultsGame statistics, quiz and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket newsPlayer Updates, Team Ranking, Game highlights, Video analysis And Live match odds.