Cricket and love takes Izatuallah Dawlatzai to Germany

Izatullah Dawlatzai is a prolific young talent from Afghanistan who has been able to trouble top-class batsmen with his skiddy pace. He has been a pivotal part of Afghanistan’s national team and has performed exceptionally well to keep his place in the side.

However, he doesn’t feature in present line up due to his family issues. Not long ago, he moved from Pakistan to Germany only to be with the woman he loved. In his short career, he has been able to make it to the top of rankings for bowlers in ODIs as well as T20Is.

Growing up, Dawlatzai was never one of those individuals who had the hunger to play for the national side. However, playing ‘tape-ball cricket’ alongside the likes of the lanky Shapoor Zadran and Dawlat Ahmadzai, suggested him to try for the national team.

Fortunately, he was able to impress every selector with his line and length which eventually helped him to represent Afghanistan in 2010. Having moved from Afghanistan to Germany, the right-arm fast bowler looks to play International cricket once again but this time, he wishes to represent the European Country.

“I had some family problems. My fiancée was living here (Germany). When two people are in a relationship the distance is a problem when you are living too far from each other. She was born here (Germany), but she is Afghan. We couldn’t meet a lot so I decided to move here. I was in England for two months. My brother lives there, he told me to stay but I wanted to go back to Germany,” he was quoted as saying by Lord’s official website.

Moments with national side

Having played for Afghanistan for 5 years, Dawlatzai was asked about his favourite moment which he wishes to cherish all his life. “I think the best moment for me was when we qualified for the 2015 World Cup, which was in Australia and New Zealand. It was so amazing when we qualified. We were in Dubai, we had a match against Kenya when we won that we qualified directly. We were so emotional. I think that was the best thing that ever happened to us,” he stated.

“There are so many stories because I have seen everything – the entire journey of Afghanistan cricket. Everything changed so quickly. But one moment that Dawlatzai cannot forget is when he got to play for Afghanistan for the very first time. He said, “It was very special for me. When you are representing your country it is a proud moment for anyone. I enjoyed it a lot… it was so amazing,” the 26-year-old added.

He believes that people back home are passionate about cricket and wish to see their side win every single match they play.

“People in Afghanistan are crazy about cricket especially when they see our players they just love them. I got so much respect in Afghanistan, people loved us. People in Afghanistan are crazy about cricket especially when they see our players they just love them. I had everything, people loved me so much. Cricket has given me so much. Playing cricket for Afghanistan, (has given me) so many things I don’t even deserve. But when you are playing good cricket, people love you,” Dawlatzai recalled.

Wants to do well for Germany

He is hungry to perform well at International level and looks forward to representing Germany in two year’s time.

“I can’t find regular cricket here (Germany). It’s so difficult for me to maintain my fitness and stay in touch with cricket. I think that is the only problem I am facing here, not only me but everyone is facing here. We play once or twice a week and it’s not enough for a professional player. If you are aiming to play good cricket it’s not enough,” he said.

“I will qualify (to play for the national side) in two years so until then I have to play domestic cricket… it’s the only way to stay in touch with cricket,” Dawlatzai concluded.