![Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai [Source: @ACBofficials/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793122932455_Ijaz_Ahmad_Ahmadzai.jpg?type=hq)
Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai [Source: @ACBofficials/x]
Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai made a triumphant return to the Afghanistan cricket team. Playing his first international match in nearly a year, the 23-year-old celebrated the occasion with his maiden half-century.
Notably, the innings also happened to become Afghanistan’s joint-fastest half-century in T20I history. Following Ijaz’s fireworks against Zimbabwe, here is a detailed look at his young career and cricketing upbringing.
Who is Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai?
Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, born in Kabul in June 2003, is a young Afghanistan all-rounder who bowls right-arm quick and can bat in the middle-order.
In domestic cricket, he has played for teams like Boost Defenders, Hindukush Stars, Kabul Eagles, Amo Sharks, Maiwand Champions and Ajman Bolts. He also represented the Afghanistan Under-19 side at the 2022 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.
Widely considered as one of the brightest young prospects in Afghanistan cricket, Ijaz is renowned for his big-hitting abilities, especially against fast bowlers.
In March 2024, the then 20-year-old earned his maiden international cap for Afghanistan with a match against Ireland in Sharjah. He sporadically made just four appearances in the Afghanistan playing XI up until November 2025, aggregating just 41 runs in four innings in the process at a dismal average of 10.25 and an underwhelming strike rate of 80.39.
Spending nearly a year on the sidelines and missing the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai made instant impact in international cricket during his second coming for Afghanistan in their ‘home’ T20I series against Zimbabwe in the UAE in October 2026.
Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai smashes Afghanistan’s fastest fifty on return
Making his return to the Afghanistan team after nearly a year, young Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai bludgeoned 52 runs off just 22 balls with four boundaries and four sixes against Zimbabwe in the first T20I of their three-match series in Sharjah.
Batting at number seven, the youngster completed his fifty from just 20 deliveries with a huge six in the slog overs. Ijaz’s 20-ball fifty helped him notch up Afghanistan's joint-fastest half-century in T20I history, putting him on levelling terms with Azmatullah Omarzai (vs Hong Kong in 2025) and Mohammad Nabi (vs Sri Lanka in 2025) both in Abu Dhabi.
Relaunching his career on a cracking note, the 23-year-old will be keen to carry his newfound momentum forward and establish himself as a regular fixture in Afghanistan’s T20I setup.
