Naveed Zadran

Naveed Zadran is one of Afghanistan’s promising right-arm pacers. He was born on October 15, 2004, in Khost, Afghanistan. He plays for Khost province in the domestic circuit and represents Afghanistan in international cricket. 

Zadran was introduced to cricket at a very young age. His performance in the local leagues led to his selection in Afghanistan's domestic leagues.

Since a very naive age, he was known for his ability to generate pace and movement that caught the selectors' eyes. While representing Khost Province, in the 2022-23 season, he bagged 28 wickets in seven matches, with an impressive average of 18.50, helping him to emerge as the leading wicket-taker. 

The fruits start to bore for Zadran. He got his maiden international call-up in the ODI series against Ireland.

The ODI debut was just a stepping stone in his career. In March 2024, Zadran made his Test debut against Zimbabwe, claiming four wickets for 70 runs in his first innings, helping the team to win a historic Test win by innings and 46 runs. 

Injuries have been a hurdle for every athlete and so are for Zadran. While preparing for the Test match against New Zealand in September 2024, he suffered a side strain injury. He was advised to rest for four weeks. This injury also raised questions about his participation in the subsequent ODI series against South Africa.

The bowled all the questions rose against his participation in the South Africa series. In the second ODI in October 2024, he claimed four wickets for 35 runs, helping the side to level the series. He showed his dedication to the sport and his ability to bounce back. 

Despite his impressive performance in ODIs, Zadran is yet to become an integral part of the starting 11. However, with a blend of raw talent and experience garnered from international exposure, he is poised to be a linchpin in Afghanistan's bowling lineup for years to come.

(As of March 2025)