Mujeeb Zadran, 16, Becomes First Male Cricketer Born in 21st Century to Play International Cricket

Mujeeb picked up four of the first five wickets to become the youngest bowler in ODI history to take 4 wickets in an innings.

New Delhi: Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Zadran, the 16-year-old off-spinner, became the youngest ever from Afghanistan to play International cricket and overall he is the 9th youngest to make debut in ODI cricket. As a matter of fact, the 16-year old achieved an extraordinary feat by becoming the first male player born in the 21st century to play International cricket in cricket as he was born in Khost on March 28 in 2001.

It turned out to be a fruitful debut for him and his side as he took four wickets to help Afghanistan thrash Ireland by 138 runs in Sharjah. With this win, Afghanistan took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Zadran took 4-24, the joint-best figures for an Afghan bowler on ODI debut, matching Shapoor Zadran’s 4 for 24 against the Netherlands in Amstelveen in August 2009.

Mujeeb picked up four of the first five wickets as he sent back Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie, Gary Wilson and Kevin O’Brien to demolish Ireland, which were dismissed for 100 in 31.4 overs while chasing the target of 239 runs. The off-spinner also becomes the youngest bowler in ODI history to take 4 wickets in an innings. Bangladesh’s Talha Jubair was the previous record holder. 

Zadran has been making the headlines over the last couple of months for his outstanding performances for their Under-19 team. The bowler recorded the 2nd best bowling figures in Youth ODI cricket with 7/19 against Bangladesh and also became the first player with two 6-wicket hauls and the 2nd player with three 5-fers in Youth ODI cricket after he starred in Afghanistan’s Youth Asia Cup victory in Malaysia with a 6-fers and a 5 wicket-haul against Pakistan.