The young Afghan spinner, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, caused a bidding war between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore before being snatched up by the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians, for a hefty price tag of Rs 4.80 Crore. Despite a strong performance in recent matches, KKR eventually backed out of the bidding, giving the blue-shirted Paltans their newest acquisition. With a remarkable ODI debut and impressive performances against South Africa and Bangladesh, Ghazanfar is poised to make a big impact for the defending champions in the upcoming IPL season.
Afghanistan's Allah Ghazanfar: A Rising Star in the Indian Premier League
Background
Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar is a young Afghan cricketer who has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the most sought-after players in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ghazanfar, a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, made his international debut in 2021 and has since impressed with his consistent performances in both white-ball formats.
IPL Acquisition
Ahead of the 2023 IPL season, Ghazanfar sparked a bidding war between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). However, it was the Mumbai Indians (MI) who ultimately secured his services for a staggering Rs 4.80 Crore. The move marked one of the highest prices paid for an uncapped player in IPL history.
Impressive Performances
Ghazanfar has already demonstrated his potential on the international stage. In his ODI debut against Pakistan, he took two wickets for just 19 runs. He also impressed against South Africa and Bangladesh, showcasing his accuracy and control.
Expectations for the IPL
With his impressive performances for the Afghan national team, Ghazanfar is expected to make an immediate impact for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. His left-arm spin could provide a valuable option for the team, particularly in the spin-friendly conditions of India.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is Allah Ghazanfar's bowling style?
2. How much did Mumbai Indians pay for Ghazanfar?
3. What is Ghazanfar's international record?
4. Which team did Ghazanfar play for in the IPL before Mumbai Indians?
5. What are the expectations for Ghazanfar in the 2023 IPL?
La Liga team Atletico Madrid has criticized the Spanish National Sports Council's decision to allow Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo to play on a temporary basis after his license had expired. According to the club, this government intervention sets a dangerous precedent and calls into question the rules of the game. Other clubs, including Las Palmas, have also expressed concern about how this decision could impact the integrity of the competition and destabilize professional football in Spain.
After repeated rejections by La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation, Barcelona successfully appealed to the Higher Sports Council to register Dani Olmo and Pau Victor for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. However, their registration is only valid until the CSD reaches a final decision in April, leaving the team with a limited timeline to utilize their talents in crucial matches. The stakes are high as Barcelona must secure favorable results in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League during this period, making the CSD's decision a crucial factor in their success.
The Indian women's cricket team, led by Smriti Mandhana, takes on Ireland in the first ODI of a three-match series. With the hosts coming off a series sweep against the West Indies, Mandhana and her team will look to continue their dominant form. However, Ireland's Prendergast brings valuable experience from playing in Australia and could prove to be a key player for the visitors in this highly-anticipated match.
In a thrilling match at the Kotambi Stadium, Rajasthan's opener Abhijeet Tomar's brilliant century and a five-wicket haul from Tamil Nadu's Varun Chakaravarthy made for an exciting game. Tomar's partnership with skipper Mahipal Lomror set the foundation for Rajasthan's first-ever victory over Tamil Nadu in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. They will now face Vidarbha in the quarterfinals on Sunday. Additionally, Haryana dominated Bengal with all-round performances from Parth Vats and Nishant Sandhu, securing a 72-run win.
In a thrilling match in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane led Al Nassr to a 3-1 victory over Al Okhdoud at the Awwal Park in Riyadh. The two star players each scored a goal, with Mane scoring a brace and Ronaldo scoring his first goal of 2025. The win propelled Al Nassr to third place in the league table with 28 points from 14 matches. Don't miss out on the excitement, subscribe now to catch all the action.
Real Madrid secured their spot in the Supercopa final after a thrilling match against Mallorca. They will now face off against their arch-rivals Barcelona in a highly anticipated final in Jeddah. Stay tuned for updates and post-match reactions.
In a thrilling match between Real Madrid and Valencia, Vinicius Junior's red card became the main talking point. After pushing Valencia's goalkeeper and receiving a straight red, the Brazilian forward's hopes of celebrating a victory seemed dashed. However, thanks to late goals from Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham, Madrid secured a 2-1 win. Vinicius later took to social media to apologize to his teammates, while manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that the club will appeal the red card. According to MARCA, the Spanish Football Federation is considering a two-game ban for Vinicius instead of the customary four-match suspension for violent conduct, as they acknowledge that he was provoked by the opposing player.
In a recent conversation with The Athletic, Mallorca right-back Pablo Maffeo opened up about an old compliment he received from Lionel Messi. The Argentinian superstar had labeled Maffeo as the "toughest defender he's faced" after a game in 2017. The 20-year-old defender sees this as a trophy and is now set to face off against another superstar, Vinicius Junior, in the upcoming Supercopa de Espana. This will be the 11th time that the two players will face each other, with a record of four wins each so far. Interestingly, Messi has never scored against Maffeo in their previous encounters.
After a disappointing loss to Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool are reportedly eyeing Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich as a potential replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, should the current Reds player depart for Real Madrid. With Kimmich having excelled as a defensive midfielder and even taking on the captain's armband, Liverpool are keeping a close eye on the situation and may make a move in the upcoming January transfer window.
In a recent interview, FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal expressed his excitement for the Spanish Super Cup final after scoring a crucial goal in the semifinals against Athletic Club. The 17-year-old had just returned from an ankle injury and was instrumental in securing his team's spot in the final. He also shared his happiness in seeing teammates Dani Olmo and Pau Victor being cleared to play and hopes they will join him in the final against either Real Madrid or RCD Mallorca.