![Naseer Khan Maroofkhil shatters massive records [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794650062894_NaseerKhan.jpg?type=hq)
Naseer Khan Maroofkhil shatters massive records [Source: X]
Afghanistan spinner Naseer Khan Maroofkhil made his debut for the country in the Test match against Zimbabwe on November 13. The 20-year-old bowler delivered one of the most sensational bowling spells of his career and, in the process, broke some significant records for his country as well as himself.
The 10-match first-class player had 33 red-ball wickets under his belt, with his career-best figures of 6/55, which he surpassed in the second Test against Zimbabwe.
Having previously represented Afghanistan's Under-19 team, the cricketer started his professional cricketing journey back in April 2023 and has now made a breakthrough with his spin-bowling abilities against Zimbabwe in the UAE.
Naseer Khan creates multiple records on Test debut for Afghanistan
Naseer Khan Maroofkhil made three significant records with his seven-wicket haul, producing the second-best figures by an Afghanistan bowler on Test debut.
Naseer scalped 7 wickets for 151 runs in Sharjah, which now ranks behind only Ziaur Rahman Sharifi's 7/97 against Zimbabwe in 2025.
The list also contains names like Amir Hamza and Nijat Masood, who scalped five-wicket hauls against West Indies and Bangladesh, respectively, on their Test debuts.
Best figures for Afghanistan on Test debut
- Ziaur Rahman Sharifi - 7/97 vs Zimbabwe, Harare, 2025
- Naseer Khan Maroofkhil - 7/151 vs Zimbabwe, Sharjah, 2026 - TODAY*
- Amir Hamza - 5/74 vs West Indies, Lucknow, 2019
- Nijat Masood - 5/79 vs Bangladesh, Mirpur, 2023
- Naveed Zadran - 4/83 vs Sri Lanka, Colombo (SSC), 2024
Notably, Naseer also became the second-youngest bowler to take a five-wicket haul for Afghanistan in Test cricket, behind spin veteran Rashid Khan.
Youngest to take a five-wicket haul for Afghanistan in Tests
- Rashid Khan - 20Y 178D vs Ireland, Dehradun, 2019
- Naseer Khan Maroofkhil - 20Y 288D vs Zimbabwe, Sharjah, 2026 - TODAY*
- Saleem Safi - 23Y 271D vs India, Mullanpur, 2026
- Nijat Masood - 24Y 167D vs Bangladesh, Mirpur, 2023
- Zia Akbar - 26Y 61D vs Ireland, Tolerance, 2024
At 20 years and 288 days old, Naseer scalped the five-for, while Rashid Khan took his first five-wicket haul when he was 20 years and 178 days old. Rashid's feat came against Ireland in Dehradun back in 2019.
Naseer also became the fourth Afghan player to get a five-fer on Test debut, besides Amir Hamza, Nijat Masood and Ziaur Rahman.
How did Naseer bag multiple feats in AFG vs ZIM 2nd Test?
Naseer Khan's massive feat came as he cleared out the top and middle order of Zimbabwe's batting lineup. His first prey was Ben Curran, whom he dismissed in the 27th over, followed by the wickets of Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Brendan Taylor, among others.
Among them, Taylor's wicket was the most important, as he looked dangerous with his 217-ball 119. Kaia was also dismissed for 96 in the first innings, which overall restricted Zimbabwe's total to 339 runs.
Besides Naseer, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi and Yamin Ahmadzai also scalped wickets to contribute to Zimbabwe's collapse.
