• Home
  • Player Stories
  • Who Is Allah Ghazanfar The 17 Year Old Afghan Prodigy Left South Africa In Pieces

Who Is Allah Ghazanfar, The 17-Year-Old Afghan Prodigy Left South Africa In Pieces?

Allah Ghazanfar ran riot vs South Africa (X)Allah Ghazanfar ran riot vs South Africa (X)

At just 17 years old, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar made his mark on international cricket, leaving South Africa reeling in the opening ODI of their series against Afghanistan on Wednesday. Ghazanfar, a mystery spinner who hails from the Paktia province in Afghanistan, took an impressive 3-20 in his ten overs, restricting South Africa to a paltry 106 runs.

Playing in just his third ODI, Allah Ghazanfar's ability to spin the ball both ways left the Proteas baffled, as he bowled a sensational spell. In his earlier outings, Ghazanfar had gone wicketless in his debut series against Ireland. But his breakout performance against South Africa proved why he's touted as Afghanistan's next big spinning talent.

His victims included South Africa's hard-hitting Tristan Stubbs and debutant Jason Smith, both of whom were outfoxed by Ghazanfar's variations. His final figures of 3-20 along with Fazalhaq Farooqi's four-wicket haul, ensured that South Africa collapsed for a dismal score within 33.3 overs.

Who is Afghanistan's New Spin Sensation Allah Ghazanfar?

Ghazanfar's journey from tennis ball cricket in his hometown to tormenting international batters has been nothing short of remarkable. He owes much of his success to former Afghanistan captain Dawlat Ahmadzai, under whose guidance he transitioned from a fast bowler to a master of spin.

At 6ft 2 inches tall, Ghazanfar’s huge presence makes him a unique asset as a spinner, a trait that has drawn comparisons to Indian ace Ravichandran Ashwin, whom Ghazanfar considers his inspiration. His ability to mix deliveries and keep the batters guessing with turn in both directions makes him a perfect fit for T20 cricket.


Before his IPL stint, Ghazanfar had already been making headlines in Afghanistan’s Shpageeza Cricket League and was selected in the Lanka Premier League 2024 by the Colombo Strikers.

His performances at the U19 World Cup 2024, where he was Afghanistan's second-highest wicket-taker with eight scalps, paved the way for his rise to senior cricket.

KKR’s Hidden Gem in IPL 2024

Ghazanfar's rise to prominence has also seen him make waves in franchise cricket. In the 2024 IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) signed him as a replacement for his compatriot, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who was ruled out with a hand injury.

Although Ghazanfar went unsold in the 2023 IPL auction, KKR snapped him up for INR 20 Lakh, recognizing his potential as a future star.

As Ghazanfar continues to build on his burgeoning career, the teenager remains Afghanistan's mystery spinner to watch. With the support of franchises like KKR, his future looks bright, and performances like the one against South Africa prove that he’s ready to take on the world.