IPL 2023 Auction: Afghanistan’s Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, a 15-year-old right-arm off-spinner, has registered for the December 23 Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL) auction in Kochi. Afghan bowler has set a base price of Rs 20 lakh. The youngest player in the IPL auction, Ghazanfar, tried to sign up for the Big Bash League (BBL 2022) auction earlier this year but was unsuccessful. Follow InsideSport.IN for LIVE updates about IPL Auction
IPL 2023 Auction: Meet the youngest player ever at IPL Auction, 15 year old Afghanistan MYSTERY Spinner Mohammad Ghazanfar likely to attract franchises interest: CHECK OUT
Also Read: IPL 2023 Start DATE: IPL 2023 Auction on Dec 23, but check why season start will be delayed this year by 2 weeks: Follow LIVE Updates (insidesport.in)
Those who have watched him play think that Ghazanfar fits the mould of Mujeeb Zadran, a well-known finger-spinner in both franchise leagues and international cricket.
Ghazanfar, who is 6 feet 2 inches tall, is a native of the Paktia province’s Zurmat area. Given his height, he began as a fast bowler but gradually switched to a spinner under the watchful tutelage of former Afghanistan captain Dawlat Ahmadzai.
“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.
Ravichandran Ashwin, an Indian spin ace, is Ghazanfar’s inspiration.
“Ashwin has been a champion spinner for India, and I like his variations. I have always considered him my inspiration,” the youngster added.
He can understand Hindi, but he finds it difficult to speak. Ghazanfar, though, wants to reassure the franchises that a barrier to communication won’t exist.
“I have played a fair bit of junior cricket, and my ultimate target is to play for Afghanistan. The IPL will help me improve my game as I would be able to learn quite a few things from the Indian and overseas players, and I am really looking forward to the experience. I hope to get picked by a franchise,” he said.
He participated in local U-16 tournaments before getting the chance to train with the Afghanistan U-19 team and making his Shpageeza League debut for Mis Ainak Knights. In his second encounter against Hindkush Stars, he took 4 for 15, giving him five wickets in three games.
The youngest of six brothers, he and his family currently reside in Kabul.
And Ghazanfar, one of the eight Afghan players who have signed up for the IPL 2023 auction, intends to strike it rich when the players are put up for sale in Kochi the following week.
IPL 2023 Auction: Meet the youngest player ever at IPL Auction, 15 year old Afghanistan MYSTERY Spinner Mohammad Ghazanfar likely to attract franchises interest: CHECK OUT
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