In an interview to Ariana Television Network (ATN) back home a year ago, Allah Ghazanfar was was asked about Mohammad Nabi. Still in his teens, he declared himself a better bowler than his senior compatriot.
The comments reportedly did not go down well with some. Nabi is a revered figure in Afghanistan, having played for the country all the way from Division Five of the ICC World Cricket League pathway to full-member Test status. Not everyone liked the remark.
"Many people did not appreciate his comments," revealed Ahmad Farhad, an Afghan cricket expert and a commentator who has known Ghazanfar well. "For others, however, the comments reflected a young player's confidence in his abilities," Farhad told Cricbuzz.
But Ghazanfar is not exactly a cocky, brash 20-year-old who is irreverent towards seniors. On the eve of the Mumbai Indians game against the Delhi Capitals in New Delhi earlier this month, he paid a visit to Shapoor Zadran, who is convalescing in a Delhi hospital.
"Wishing a speedy recovery to the national hero Shapur Zadran, we stand shoulder to shoulder. I am here looking at opportunities and possibilities to provide standard healthcare to him. (I) talked to the (MI) management about the treatment of Shapur Zadran, I request all the countrymen to pray for Shapur (sic)," he wrote in a social media post about the former Afghan pacer.
Whether or not Ghazanfar is better than Nabi, he has already proved his worth at Mumbai Indians. In five games, he has overtaken the veteran, claiming eight wickets. Nabi could manage just two in seven matches for the franchise. Incidentally, Ghazanfar is the most successful of the Mumbai Indians bowlers so far this season.
On Thursday, Ghazanfar showcased his skills with figures of 2/25 in a total exceeding 200 posted by the CSK. The effort went in vain as the Mumbai Indians batsmen faltered badly in their chase of 208. As it turned out, they were blown away by the CSK spin twins, Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad.
Ghazanfar unleashed his full range of variations against hard-hitting CSK batters among whom are Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube. One of Ghazanfar's four overs was in Powerplay, when Gaikwad was taking on the bowlers. He conceded just six runs while also dismissing the CSK captain.
He kept the Super Kings batsmen on a tight leash and finished with an economy rate of 6.25 - a commendable effort considering that the other spinner in the side, the experienced Mitchell Santner, returned an ERR of 11 in his allocation (1/44).
"I thought Allah bowled well. I think he's young, and he's proven to be quite mature for his age in the sense of how he thinks and how he bowls. He's bowling in the Powerplay, and the more games he plays, the better he will do. I mean, even their two spinners bowled well today as well - it was a great spell from Akeal. Yeah, I think we just need to keep backing Allah to do what he does," Mahela Jayawardene, the MI coach said of the youngster's effort.
Ghazanfar is predominantly an off-spinner but can easily qualify as a mystery bowler. He appears to possess an extensive range of variations in his armoury, including leg-spin, the googly, the carrom ball and even a quicker delivery.
Referring to him as 'Allah Ghazanfar' is apparently not the appropriate way; it has to be Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar. "Only 'Allah Ghazanfar' doesn't sound right in our way of saying names," Farhad clarifies.
Ghazanfar is regarded as something of a prodigy in his country, having become the third-youngest to take a six-for in a One-Day International - in only his sixth ODI - a record bettered only by Rashid Khan and Waqar Younis. He has represented his country at the Under-19 and Emerging levels.
Farhad reveals that Ghazanfar has been working hard to strengthen his fingers so that he can execute a wider range of variations. In fact, he does different kinds of finger-strengthening exercises and even works with hot sand.
A prolific wicket-taker in domestic cricket, Ghazanfar topped the bowling charts in a couple of seasons in the Shpageeza Cricket League, where he represents the Band-e-Amir Dragons under Hashmatullah Shahidi, the country's Test and ODI captain.
Mumbai Indians bought him for Rs 4.8 crore ahead of the 2025 season, but he could not feature last year due to injury. This season he has already made a mark in the league, emerging as the most successful bowler of a side that boasts some of the best in world cricket.
