Participation of 4 Afghans in IPL a proud moment: Abdali

NEW DELHI (Pajhwok): Afghan Ambassador to India Dr. Shaida Abdali says the selection of four Afghan cricketers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) shows international confidence in them.

During an exclusive chat with Pajhwok Afghan News, the diplomat said prominent players from across the world found their way to the IPL. The participation of four Afghan players in this year’s event would be a proud moment for the country, he added.

Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Mujib Zadran and Zahir Khan from Afghanistan would be playing for different franchises in the 2018 edition of IPL.

“Afghanistan has earned the status of a test-playing nation and it’s a moment of joy and pride that now four players would be taking part in the IPL,” he commented, hoping more Afghans would be able to win such contracts.

Of the Afghan cricketers registered for the auction, four were picked up by different clubs. Teenaged leg-spinner Rashid Khan was bought for $ 1.5 million by Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mohammad Nabi by the same team for $157,300.

Mujeeb Zadran, who is 16 years old and part of the Afghan squad for the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, has been bought by Kings Xi Punjab for $629,000 and Zahir Khan for $94,380 by Rajasthan Royals.

nh/mud