Afghanistan had never participated in the ICC T20 World Cup when IPL started. In fact, not many cricket fans knew that a team from Afghanistan existed as well in 2008. However, as of this writing in 2024, Afghanistan not has only played T20 World Cups but also has Test status.
Players of this Asian country are in demand across all T20 leagues in the world. In fact, as many as nine cricketers of Afghanistan can say that they have played in the IPL. Here is the complete list of nine names:
1. Gulbadin Naib is the latest Afghanistan player to feature in IPL
Gulbadin Naib joined the Delhi Capitals as a replacement signing in the ongoing IPL season. He made his debut against Rajasthan Royals tonight and scored 19 runs from 15 balls.
2. Noor Ahmad is one of the few Afghanistan players to win IPL
Left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad was a part of the Gujarat Titans squad that won IPL in 2022. Ahmad continues to be an integral part of the GT squad in IPL.
3. Rashid Khan is the best Afghanistan player in IPL
Gujarat Titans vice-captain Rashid Khan is the only player from his nation to have led an IPL franchise. He captained GT in a few IPL matches in 2022 and 2023 and is still the best player of his team.
4. Azmatullah Omarzai is one of the newest Afghanistan players in IPL
Gujarat Titans have shown a lot of faith in Afghan talent. The IPL 2022 champions handed a contract to pace-bowling all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, who has done a great job for his side in the powerplay.
5. Fazalhaq Farooqi
Sunrisers Hyderabad was the first team to show faith in Afghan talent. They have one Afghanistan player in their squad right now. He is left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi.
6. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Rahmanullah Gurbaz also won the IPL trophy with the Gujarat Titans in 2022. The Afghanistan wicketkeeper has moved to Kolkata Knight Riders and is on the bench right now.
7. Mujeeb ur Rahman
Mujeeb ur Rahman made his debut for Punjab Kings at a very young age. He has earned contracts from Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders as well. However, he could not participate this year due to injury.
8. Naveen-ul-Haq
Naveen-ul-Haq has made a name for himself with his impressive pace-bowling and variations. He became the first Afghanistan player to play for the Lucknow Super Giants in the league.
9. Mohammad Nabi
The oldest Afghanistan player to feature on the list is all-rounder Mohammad Nabi. He started with Sunrisers Hyderabad before moving to Kolkata Knight Riders and now playing for Mumbai Indians.
