Beyond boasting one of cricket’s most melodic names, Najibullah Zadran brings an aggressive left-handed batting approach and tactical right-arm off-spin to Afghanistan’s rising squad. With the bat, he morphs into a top-order bull, hammering bowling attacks with power and panache. His smooth bowling action generates wicket-taking spin variations. Though details about his private affairs stay obscured, Zadran’s Pisces zodiac sign hints at his creative batting style and bowling mastery. Still in his 30s, his career remains ascendant, as this multifaceted cricketer cements his reputation.
Najibullah Zadran Career Statistic - Batting
| Format | M | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 92 | 84 | 13 | 2060 | 104 | 29.01 | 2312 | 89.1 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 178 | 68 |
| T20I | 94 | 84 | 29 | 1712 | 73 | 31.13 | 1225 | 139.76 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 115 | 91 |
Career Statistic - Bowling
| Format | M | Inn | B | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Econ | Avg | SR | 5W | 10W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 92 | 2 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0/9 | 0/9 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20I | 94 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Career Information
ODI debut vs Ireland at Castle Avenue, Jul 05, 2012
Last ODI vs India at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Oct 11, 2023
T20 debut vs India at R.Premadasa Stadium, Sep 19, 2012
Last T20 vs Bangladesh at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Jul 16, 2023
Biography
Najibullah Zadran, a distinguished luminary within the domain of Afghan cricket, entered the world on February 18, 1993, in Khost, Afghanistan. From the nascent stages of his existence, he evinced an innate and profound ardor for the sport of cricket, a discipline that was concurrently gaining ascendancy within the precincts of his native land. Notably, this unwavering passion endured in the face of formidable challenges occasioned by the conflict-ridden milieu of his formative years, thereby laying the foundation for his eventual triumphs in the realm of cricket.
His sojourn within the cricketing milieu commenced at the grassroots level, where he commenced his journey in the locale of Khost, the crucible in which his prodigious talents began to manifest with striking alacrity. It was within the crucible of the Afghan Premier League, a prominent domestic T20 competition, that his cricketing prowess was notably thrust into the limelight, catalyzing broader recognition within the echelons of the cricketing fraternity.
The annals of Najibullah’s international cricketing debut are inscribed with the date of October 9, 2015, a momentous occasion that marked the inception of his sojourn upon the global stage. Subsequently, he has displayed his mettle across various formats of the game, participating in T20 Internationals and Test cricket alike. His ascendancy is underpinned by a reputation for explosive batting proficiency and dynamic fielding acumen, thus rendering him an indispensable asset to the Afghan cricketing contingent, particularly renowned for his sterling displays in the precincts of limited-overs cricket.
Furthermore, Najibullah has etched an indelible imprint upon the annals of cricket’s marquee events under the aegis of the International Cricket Council (ICC), substantively contributing to Afghanistan’s laurels. His leadership acumen found expression when he assumed the mantle of captaincy for the Afghan national team in T20 Internationals during the year 2020. Remarkably, this trajectory has been punctuated by numerous challenges, including the multifarious socio-political vicissitudes that have confronted Afghanistan. Nevertheless, Najibullah’s resolute perseverance has borne fruit in the form of notable records, including the distinction of achieving the highest individual score by an Afghan in T20 Internationals.
Away from the cricketing arena, Najibullah has proactively engaged in humanitarian endeavors, leveraging his platform to champion social causes and charitable initiatives. His character is encapsulated by a demeanor characterized by humility and modesty, with a preference for a discreet personal profile.
In financial terms, his career trajectory has yielded substantial dividends, with an estimated net worth in the approximate range of $5-6 million. These financial gains have accrued from his cricketing exploits and lucrative brand endorsements, thereby underscoring his stature as a figure of significance within both the cricketing pantheon and the broader realm of public recognition.
T20 and International Career
Zadran’s journey in T20 franchise cricket began on June 3, 2018, when he was drafted by the Montreal Tigers for the first Global T20 Canada tournament. His career further progressed in September 2018 when he joined the Kandahar squad for the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League. The subsequent month saw him enter the Bangladesh Premier League as part of the Chittagong Vikings team.
In the summer of 2019, Zadran continued his global T20 exploits with the Winnipeg Hawks in the Global T20 Canada tournament. Later that year, he played for the Khulna Tigers in the Bangladesh Premier League. His trajectory maintained an upward trend, and in August 2020, he was enlisted by the St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League, stepping in for Colin Ingram who could not participate due to visa issues.
In 2021, Zadran’s T20 career saw further expansion; he was signed by the Karachi Kings for the Pakistan Super League. Towards the end of the year, he was picked to represent the Dambulla Giants in the Lanka Premier League after a players’ draft.
Parallel to his franchise endeavors, Zadran made significant strides in international cricket. He made his mark early on, representing the Afghanistan Under-19s in the 2011 Under-19 World Cup Qualifier. His debut in the T20 format for the Afghan Cheetahs was marked by notable performances in the Faysal Bank Twenty-20 Cup. With a commendable average and a maiden wicket against the Rawalpindi Rams, his initial outings were promising.
His leadership qualities were recognized in December 2018 when he was appointed captain of Afghanistan’s under-23 team for the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup. A milestone was reached in March 2019 when he scored his first ODI century against Ireland. That same year, he was included in Afghanistan’s squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup, and by mid-2021, he had been named the vice-captain of the national T20I team. His growing repute was cemented with his selection for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad, marking him as a pivotal player in Afghanistan’s cricketing rise.
Bowling Style, Speed and Highest Score
When he’s not thrashing bowlers with his aggressive left-handed batting, Najibullah Zadran bamboozles them with his right-arm off-spin. Smooth and rhythmic, his bowling action disguises deliveries that vary in flight and turn. With a modest pace of 115-120kph, he relies on control and guile rather than sheer speed to outmaneuver batters. The off-break that turns away from right-handers is his stock delivery, but he’ll sneakily slide in arm balls and alter speed and trajectory to keep batters on their toes. His best T20I bowling analysis of 2/13 proves he can chip in with timely wickets. With willow in hand, Zadran morphs into a top-order bull, capable of match-changing innings. A high score of 73 came against Zimbabwe in 2016, as he hammered the ball powerfully down the ground and pierced gaps, crashing 5 fours and 4 sixes. As a leftie, he adds variety to Afghanistan’s batting lineup. From ball one, he takes on bowlers with aggression and has frequently ignited brisk starts for Afghanistan. With 8 T20I half-centuries, Zadran has shown his worth as a destructive force at the crease.
Personal Life Details
Unlike some cricketers, Najibullah Zadran’s off-field life remains out of the spotlight. With no wife or publicly known marital status, his attention stays fixed on honing his left-handed batting and right-arm off-spin bowling. While details about potential siblings or a brother remain ambiguous, Zadran’s birthdate on February 28th makes his zodiac sign definitively Pisces, despite conflicting reports of Aquarius. Traveling and playing cricket consume his time away from matches, with green as his favored color. He admires fellow Afghan players Rashid Khan and Muhammad Nabi, likely inspiring his bowling craft and aggressive batting approach. Outside of demolishing bowling attacks, mystery surrounds Zadran’s personal affairs. No wife or marriage is documented, and his family relations are equally nebulous, with limited information about siblings or a brother available publicly. His Pisces zodiac sign aligns with a February 28th birthday, contrary to some claims of Aquarius. When not competing, Zadran indulges hobbies of travel and cricket, donning green, his preferred color. Fellow Afghans Rashid Khan and Muhammad Nabi earn his admiration, influencing his dynamic all-around cricket abilities as a left-handed batter and right-arm off-break bowler.
Conclusion
Capable of pummeling bowlers from the left side of the wicket or tying them in knots with off-spin from the right, Najibullah Zadran is a cricketing force for Afghanistan. Though an air of mystery surrounds his off-field life, his Pisces zodiac sign provides insights into his artistic batting and crafty bowling abilities. With years ahead to refine his skills, Zadran’s upward trajectory predicts even greater dominance across formats. Boasting talent, tenacity, and one of cricket’s most lyrical names, Najibullah Zadran has cemented his status as an Afghan star on the rise.