Young Afghanistan spinner Allah Ghazanfar delivered a spectacular performance in the third and final ODI against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Saturday, December 21. Ghazanfar showcased his skills once again by taking a five-wicket haul to help Afghanistan bowl Zimbabwe out for just 127 in 30.1 overs in the ongoing final ODI in Harare.
The 18-year-old mystery spinner made an immediate impact in the ongoing ODI by dismissing Zimbabwe opener Joylord Gumbie for just 3 runs. He continued his excellent spell by sending Ben Curran back for 12 runs and then taking the wickets of Tadiwanashe Marumani and Wellington Masakzada in consecutive deliveries in Harare.
Allah Ghazanfar claims historic five-wicket haul in third ODI
Allah Ghazanfar completed his five-wicket haul by getting rid of Newman Nyamhuri, finishing with remarkable figures of 5/33 in his 10 overs, and helped Afghanistan restrict the hosts Zimbabwe to just 127 in 30.1 overs in the third ODI on Saturday. The tourists have won the game by 8 wickets to clinch the ODI series in Zimbabwe.
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With his outstanding performance against Zimbabwe, the young Afghan sensation scripted history in ODI cricket. Allah Ghazanfar became one of the few the bowlers to take multiple five-wicket hauls in ODIs before turning 19 years old.
This record adds to his growing reputation, following his earlier milestone in November when, at the age of 18 years and 231 days, he became the fifth-youngest player to claim a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh.
The young spinner had taken 6 wickets for just 26 runs against Bangladesh and helped Afghanistan secure a 92-run victory in that ODI match. With his remarkable spell in Harare, Ghazanfar became the only third player after Waqar Younis and Rashid Khan to achieve this feat.
Afghanistan’s Allah Ghazanfar joins Waqar Younis and Rashid Khan in the elite club
Waqar Younis and Rashid Khan are the only players who have achieved multiple five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket before turning 19. Overall, only seven players in history have taken a five-wicket haul in ODIs before reaching 19, with Ghazanfar and Mujeeb Ur Rahman from Afghanistan in the elite group.
The others to have taken ODI five-wicket hauls as teenagers are Gulshan Jha, Wasim Akram, Aftab Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Aaqib Javed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Sandeep Lamichhane, Mustafizur Rahman, Abdul Razzaq, Shariz Ahmed, and Saqlain Mushtaq.
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Notably, Ghazanfar and Rashid both have two five-wicket hauls, while Waqar has taken five five-wicket hauls before turning 19 in ODI cricket. Ghazanfar also has the best bowling average of 13.57 among all players who have taken at least 20 ODI wickets before turning 19. He has now 21 wickets in 11 ODIs so far.
Allah Ghazanfar set to play for Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025
He is closely followed by Rashid Khan, who has an average of 14.74, with both bowlers being the only ones to have an average under 15. Additionally, the young spinner holds the highest strike rate of 20, with Rashid again coming in second with a strike rate of 22.2 before reaching the age of 19.
Notably, the 18-year-old spin sensation has been making waves recently after securing an INR 4.8 crore contract in the IPL 2025 mega auction. Despite strong efforts from IPL 2024 champions Kolkata Knight Riders to retain Allah, Mumbai Indians emerged victorious in securing the young Afghanistan talent at the auction.
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