T10 League 2018: Afghanistan’s six-sixes sensation Hazratullah Zazai to play for Maratha Arabians

A few days ago, Afghanistan cricket team’s head coach Phil Simmons said that he would like to see one batsman from the country making headlines in the Indian Premier League (IPL). It is true that a number of bowlers from Afghanistan have already made a name for themselves in the tournament but not a batsman. Simmons’ hope could see a fulfilment soon as a 20-year-old batting sensation has surfaced on the country’s cricket horizons.

Hazratullah Zazai, who has played two ODIs and three T20Is for Afghanistan after making his international debut in December 2016, recently aped dashing Indian left-hander Yuvraj Singh by hitting six sixes in an over in the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League which got over last week.

Zazai scored a 12-ball 50 in the process as he was batting for Kabul Zawanan against the Balkh Legends. The bowler at the receiving end was Abdulla Mazari. This innings helped him become only the third player after Yuvraj and Chris Gayle to hit a half-century in 12 balls.

Zazai to play under compatriot Rashid Khan

Cricket fans are in for more entertainment as Zazai was picked by the Maratha Arabians for the T10 League which is starting November 23 in Sharjah. The Arabians, who lost in the semi-finals of the inaugural T10 League last year to the eventual champions Kerala Kings, will be led by Zazai’s compatriot Rashid Khan, who is the side’s icon player. It also features another young Afghanistan bowler Najibullah Zadran.

The Maratha Arabians confirmed Zazai’s joining their ranks for the upcoming tournament in a tweet on October 25.

The Latest sensation from @ACBofficials Hazratullah Zazai who rocked in the Afghanistan Premier League with six sixes in an over is now part of the #MarathaArabians Family for #T10league season 2⃣#AalaReAala @T10LeagueTweets pic.twitter.com/07hr1DfTuO

— Maratha arabians (@MarathaArabians) October 25, 2018

Zazai’s presence will definitely boost the Arabians who had their captain in former dashing Indian opener Virender Sehwag, though he could not do much as a batsman and captained the side for only two games. Paktia-born Zazai has two fifties in three T20Is that he has played so far at an average of 58 and strike-rate of over 156. His heroics against the Legends could not win the game for his side though but Zazai will be looking to set things right in the next tournament.

Get the latest Cricket News and updates, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.