Afghanistan spinner Allah Ghazanfar, who was recently acquired by Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 mega auction, took five more wickets (5-33) to write ODI cricket history. The 18-year-old enigmatic spinner achieved the milestone during the third ODI between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in Harare on Saturday.
After winning the toss and being elected for the first over, Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by 127 runs in 30.1 overs with Ghazamfar and Rashid Khan (3-38) leading the way. Sean Williams top-scored for the hosts with 60 points.
In reply, opener Sediqullah Atal hit a fifty (52 off 50 balls) as Afghanistan moved to 26.5 overs in the ODI series at Harare Sports Club The winning target was achieved easily with the loss of two wickets.
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said after the match: “It’s great to see a youngster like Allah joining the team and making such an impact.”
“Ara has done a great job for the team and hopefully he can keep up this momentum and continue to play well,” he added.
Watch Allah Ghazanfar’s impressive five-wicket haul
Ghazanfar scores another 5 points!
This sense of spin made things easy for Zimbabwe’s batting line-up, picking up 5 wickets in his second ODI in just his 11th ODI. #ZIMvAFGonFanCode pic.twitter.com/7p4K4LbKYm— FanCode (@FanCode) December 21, 2024
Allah Ghazanfar Script History
Not yet 19 years old, Allah Ghazanfar made his ODI debut earlier this year and has made a good start to his career. The off-spinner has played 11 ODIs and picked up 21 wickets at an average of 13.57
Gazanfar has already made two five-wicket hauls in his short international career. He recorded best bowling figures of 6/26 against Bangladesh in Sharjah last month.
After taking an impressive five-wicket haul against Zimbabwe on Saturday, Gazanfar joins an elite group of bowlers who have taken one ODI five-wicket haul before turning 19 List.
Overall, only seven players – Waqar Younis (5), Allah Ghazanfar (2), Rashid Khan (2), Aftab Ahmed (1), Gulsan Jha (1), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (1), Wasim Akram (1) ) took 5 wickets in ODI cricket before turning 19.
Allah Ghazanfar will represent Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025
Allah Ghazanfar will play for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025. The Afghanistan spinner was sold for Rs 4.8 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The price was bought.
Mumbai Indians owner Akash Ambani said after the auction: “We needed a lot of convincing to select a professional foreign spinner. We do consider Allah (Ghazanfar) as a whole.”