7 Cricketers who changed their names

6. Asghar Afghan

Back in August 2018, former Afghanistan skipper Asghar Afghan changed his name. Previously, the Kabul-born batsman was known as Asghar Stanikzai, and he decided to change his surname. On being asked about the same, he said that he was pleased to have included the word ’Afghan’ beside his name.

He also stated that it is the national duty of the Afghans to protect their national identity. The decision became official when Afghan registered for the new Electronic National Identity Cards (E-tazkira). Later, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) had also posted about the change of name on their official Twitter handle.

He is one of the national cricket team’s highest capped players, having plied his trade since 2009, the very year when Afghanistan got the ODI status for the maiden time.