Every player feels pride while playing for their country. He always knows that his excellent performance will bring smiles to millions of faces. But other than international cricket, franchise cricket is another way for players to test their skills and earn dollars. Since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, many countries have started their cash-rich leagues. These leagues financially profit the host boards and the players. Therefore, it is natural that they attract players from all around the world to play. Here are the Top 10 Afghanistan players to have played in different franchise leagues around the world-
1. Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan Arman indeed comes to the top when talking about this topic. In 2016, he made his franchise cricket debut for Comilla Victorians in Bangladesh Premier League. In the IPL next year, he was picked up by SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) for a whopping INR 4 crore. Since then, he has played for Guyana Amazon Warriors (CPL), Adelaide Striker (BBL), Kabul Zwanan (APL), Durban Heat (Super League T20), Barbados Tridents (CPL), and Lahore Qalandars (PSL). He has consistently bamboozled the opposite batsmen with his quick right-arm leg-spin and has played cameos with the bat.
2. Mohammad Nabi
Mohammad Nabi Eisakhil started his franchise cricket career playing for Mohammedan Sporting Club in Dhaka Premier League in 2013/14. Since then, he has played for 11 teams across 6 franchise leagues. In 2017, he became the first Afghan player to be sold in an IPL auction. He was purchased by SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) for his base price of INR 30 lakhs. In the 2018 IPL auction, he was again bought by SRH, this time for INR 1 crore. He is a handy explosive batsman and a right-arm off-spinner and has consistently proven himself as the surprise package for any team.
3. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Mujeeb Ur Rahman Zadran is a right-arm off-spinner. He bowls quicker through the air, but his primary weapon is his googly. In the 2017 season of the Bangladesh Premier League, he was drafted in by the Comilla Victorians. Since then, he has wreaked havoc in the franchise cricket world. Aged just 20, he has played already played for Kings XI Punjab and SunRisers Hyderabad (in IPL), Nangarhar Leopards (APL), Brisbane Heat (BBL), Jamaica Tallawahs (CPL), and Peshawar Zalmi (PSL).
4. Mohammad Shahzad
Mohammad Shahzad Mohammadi has become synonymous with explosiveness in the cricket world. The right-handed wicket-keeper-batsman from Nangarhar entered the franchise cricket world in the 2016 BPL season playing for Rangpur Riders. Later, he has also represented Rangpur Rangers and Chittagong Vikings in BPL. In the 2018 Afghanistan Premier League, he played for Paktia Panthers. In the Everest Premier League 2021, he represented Nepal-based Chitwan Tigers. In the T10 league, he has represented Rajputs and Deccan Gladiators.
5. Qais Ahmad
At just 21, Qais Ahmad Kamawal has earned respect in 8 teams across 7 professional franchise leagues. He was the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2018 U19 World Cup, taking 14 wickets at an economy of 3.84. In the same year, he was picked up by the St. Lucia Stars in the Caribbean Premier League. In the 3 years since then, he has played for Balkh Legends (APL), Rajshahi Kings (BPL), Hobart Hurricanes (BBL), Guyana Amazon Warriors (CPL), Colombo Kings (LPL), Quetta Gladiators (PSL), and Welsh Fire (The Hundred).
6. Hazratullah Zazai
Like his opening partner Mohammad Shahzad, Hazratullah Zazai likes to take the bowlers to the cleaners. The explosive south paw’s aggressive game earned him a place in Kabul Zwanan in the 2018 Afghanistan Premier League. Next year he was drafted in by Dhaka Dynamites in the Bangladesh Premier League. He has also played for the Galle Gladiators in Lanka Premier League (2020) and Peshawar Zalmi in Pakistan Super League (2021).
7. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
At 20, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is one of the most talented batsmen Afghanistan has ever produced. After getting selected in Paktia Panthers for the 2018 season of Afghanistan Premier League, he has been picked up by Khulna Tigers (BPL), Barbados Tridents (CPL), Multan Sultans, and Islamabad United (PSL), and Jaffna Kings (LPL).
8. Zahir Khan
Zahir Khan Pakteen was part of the Afghanistan team in the 2016 and 2018 U19 World Cups. In 2018, he was picked up by the Nangarhar Leopards for the APL. He was later picked up by Khulna Titans (BPL), Rajasthan Royals (IPL), Jamaica Tallawahs, St. Lucia Zouks (CPL), Brisbane Heat, Melbourne Stars, and Melbourne Renegades (BBL).
9. Gulbadin Naib
Gulbadin doesn’t have a lot of franchise experience boast. In 2018, he was picked by the Balkh Legends for the Afghanistan Premier League, a team he is still a part of. In 2019, Sylhet Sixers picked him for the Bangladesh Premier League, although he didn’t play any of the matches.
10. Najibullah Zadran
Najibullah is one of those consistent explosive players who rely on textbook shots. In 2017, he was picked up by Chittagong Vikings for the BPL. He was then selected by Montreal Tigers to play in the Global T20 Canada. In 2018, the Kandahar Knights sought his services during the 2018 edition of the Afghanistan Premier League. He played for St. Lucia Zouks in CPL and Dambulla Giants in LPL.
