Top 3 Bowling Figures For Afghanistan In ODI World Cup Matches

Fazalhaq Farooqi celebrates a wicket with teammates at the 2023 World Cup (AP)

At the grand stage of ODI Cricket World Cups, Afghanistan’s emergence was akin to a late-blooming sonnet, one that unfolded against the backdrop of a nation grappling with tumultuous waves of conflict. Their ascent to the global podium was far from conventional, and their journey to securing a spot in the 2015 World Cup was nothing short of extraordinary.

Afghanistan’s meteoric rise from adversity to acclaim is a testament to their unyielding spirit and dedication. What sets them apart is the extraordinary contribution of their bowlers, who have become the backbone of their cricketing prowess. Afghan’s all-firing bowling arsenal have not only played a pivotal role in their team’s success but has also left an indelible mark on the global cricketing landscape.

Here at OneCricket, we take a look at three such Afghanistan bowlers who raked in global headlines by listing some of the best bowling figures for their country at the grandest stage of the sport.

Best Bowling Figures For Afghanistan in World Cup matches:

1. Mohammad Nabi vs Sri Lanka, 4/30 in 2019 World Cup

Mohammad Nabi in action vs SL at the 2019 World Cup (x.com)

Turning up for Afghanistan at the 2019 World Cup as one of the senior members of the side, Mohammad Nabi came to his own against Sri Lanka in one of their earliest matches of the tournament. The dazzling all-rounder was appointed as the second bowling change during the Sri Lankan innings upfront by then Afghan captain Gulbadin Naib.

As it turned out, Nabi ended up breaking Sri Lanka’s back by claiming each of their first four wickets of the innings. Having raced to 92-0 in just 13 overs, the Afghan off-spinner removed Dimuth Karunaratne against the run of play before returning for a three-wicket burst in the middle overs, which featured the illustrious scalps of Kusal Mendis and Sri Lankan veteran Angelo Mathews.

Nabi eventually finished his nine-over spell at 4-30 to register the best bowling figures for Afghanistan in an ODI World Cup game. His spell also dismantled Sri Lanka at 201 all out, as they lost all their 10 wickets in a space of 109 runs following their 92-run opening stand.

Unfortunately for Mohammad Nabi, his side ended up losing the high-profile contest in Cardiff by 34 runs (D/L), thus signalling a start of a disastrous World Cup 2019 campaign in England.

2. Fazalhaq Farooqi vs Sri Lanka, 4/34 in 2023 World Cup

Fazalhaq Farooqi in action against SL at the 2023 World Cup (x.com)

Afghanistan’s new-ball talisman Fazalhaq Farooqi proved his worth by ripping Sri Lanka’s insurgent batting line-up apart in their 2023 World Cup faceoff in Pune. The speedster struck within his opening spell by trapping Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne in front of stumps for just 15. The 23-year-old maintained a tight lid on Sri Lanka’s scoring rate throughout the innings as he conceded just 34 runs from his 10 overs.

Moreover, Farooqi claimed three more wickets in the innings to register just the third four-wicket haul of his ODI career, and his first at the World Cup stage.

His spell prevented Sri Lanka from charting a competitive total upfront in a must-win game for both sides, as Kusal Mendis and co. were dusted out for just 241 all out after being comfortably placed at 134-2 at one stage.

3. Shapoor Zadran vs Scotland, 4/38 in 2015 World Cup

Shapoor Zadran celebrates a Scotland wicket at the 2015 World Cup (x.com)

After big defeats against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in their first two matches of the 2015 World Cup, a battered and bruised Aghan unit travelled to Dunedin’s University Oval to face fellow associates Scotland. In a battle between equals, Afghanistan’s then new-ball fast bowler Shapoor Zadran tore through Scotland’s lower-order to have them restricted at 210.

The left-arm speedster, after going wicketless with the new-ball in his opening spell, struck twice in two overs in the middle stages of the contest by removing well-set batters Matthew Cross and Josh Davey. Zadran later returned to polish off the Scotland tail, as his twin burst in the final over helped him finish with 4-38 from his 10 overs.

Remarkably, the cricketer was far from over, as he also produced the winning runs for his country in a tense tenth wicket stand that yielded 19*. Facing Iain Wardlaw in the last over of the match, Shapoor Zadran dispatched a low full toss towards his leg stump for a boundary to script Afghanistan’s first-ever win in a World Cup game.

Despite his all-round efforts, Zadran’s batting teammate Samiullah Shinwari took home the ‘Player of the Match’ for his cautious 96.

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