Who is Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, the 15-year-old who has signed up for IPL auction?

Indian Premier League (IPL) has given some big cricketing stars to the world. It is a platform where young players script history and sometimes get selected to the national squad as they get to showcase their talent on a big stage.

During the IPL 2023 season also, we might witness one exceptional talent who goes by the name of Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar. In the list of 405 players up for auction announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Ghazanfar is the youngest player and has been put in the Rs 20 lakh bracket.

What we know about Ghazanfar? He is a 15-year-old boy from Afghanistan, the country which has produced legendary spinner like Rashid Khan and allrounder Mohammad Nabi.

• He is an off-spinner and idolizes Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. "Ashwin has been a champion spinner for India and I like his variations. I have always considered him my inspiration," Ghazanfar told Sportstar from Kabul.
• Born on July 15, 2007 in Paktia province of Afghanistan, Ghazanfar spent his initial days playing the tennis cricket. And given his height of 6ft 2inches, he was a fast bowler.
• But gradually, under the tutelage of Afghanistan captain, Dawlat Ahmadzai, he transformed into a spinner.

"I started with tennis ball cricket and would play in my neighbourhood, but under the guidance of my coach, I started bowling spin, and soon, I developed an action, and there hasn't been looking back since then," Ghaznafar said.

Domestic cricket: After playing in the local U-16 tournaments, Ghaznafar started training with the U-19 players and made his debut in the Shpageeza League of Mis Ainak Knights. 

• He took five wickets in three matches and grabbed 4 for 15 in second match against Hindkush stars. "I love challenging batters with my spin and the experience of playing in the Shpageeza League has been immensely valuable," Ghaznafar said.
• He also said that he has played a fair amount of junior cricket and has the talent to perform at the higher level.

Why IPL? The young spinner from Afghanistan believes that IPL will help him improve his game as he would get the opportunity to learn a lot of things from the Indian and overseas players. 

• Regarding communication, he said that though he can't speak Hindi, he can understand it and he has also assured the franchises that communication won't be the barrier for him in the IPL.
• Ghaznafar's name will go under the hammer on December 23 at Kochi, Kerala.

"I hope to get picked by a franchise," he said. He is the youngest of the six brothers and currently lives in Kabul with his family.