Mujeeb Ur Rahman: Afghanistan’s Spin Wizard – Career, Teams, and 5 Shocking Moments
**Let's Begin**
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the new Afghan spin star, has taken the cricketing world by storm with his mysterious spin and unplayable deliveries. Rising from the war-torn streets of Afghanistan to become one of the most sought-after spinners in T20 competitions globally, Mujeeb’s career is nothing short of inspiring.
This blog article will delve into:
- **Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s career and teams** - **How many players are in his national squad? ** - **5 most memorable and surprising moments of his career**
By the conclusion, you’ll understand why Mujeeb is considered one of the most dangerous spinners in modern cricket.
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## **Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s Cricket Career & Teams**
### **Early Life and Rise to Fame** Born on **March 28, 2001**, in Khost, Afghanistan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman was exposed to cricket at an early age. His skill was instantly noticed, and he made his **international debut at barely 16 years old** in 2017.
### **International Career (Afghanistan National Team)** Mujeeb plays for **Afghanistan** in all formats (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is). The Afghanistan national team currently has **around 25-30 contracted players**, with Mujeeb being one of their key bowlers alongside Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi.
### **Franchise Cricket (IPL, BBL, CPL, and More)** Mujeeb has been a hot property in T20 leagues: - **Indian Premier League (IPL):** Played for **Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Kolkata Knight Riders** - **Big Bash League (BBL):** Represented **Brisbane Heat** - **Caribbean Premier League (CPL):** Played for **St Kitts & Nevis Patriots** - **The Hundred (England):** Played for **Manchester Originals**
His ability to bowl in the powerplay with tremendous control makes him a significant asset.
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## **5 Most Memorable & Shocking Moments in Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s Career**
### **1. Becoming the Youngest Male to Take a Five-Wicket Haul in ODIs (2017)** 📅 ** Date:** December 25, 2017 🏟 ** Match:** Afghanistan versus Ireland (1st ODI, Sharjah)
At just **16 years and 325 days**, Mujeeb decimated Ireland’s batting order with **5/50** in his fourth ODI. He became the **youngest male cricketer ever** to take a five-wicket haul in ODIs, surpassing a record previously held by Pakistan’s Waqar Younis.
**Why Shocking?** - A youngster outclassing veteran batters with his variations. - His stint includes the wickets of Paul Stirling and Kevin O’Brien.
### **2. Mystery Ball to Dismiss Virat Kohli in IPL 2018** 📅 **Date:** April 13, 2018 🏟 **Match:** Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (IPL)
Mujeeb bamboozled **Virat Kohli** with an unplayable **carrom ball** that smashed into the stumps. Kohli, one of the finest batters in the game, was left astonished.
**Why Shocking?** - A 17-year-old dismissing Kohli in his inaugural IPL season. - The ball twisted swiftly after pitching, leaving Kohli puzzled.
### **3. Historic Test Debut Wicket (2019 – Afghanistan vs Ireland)** 📅 **Date:** March 15, 2019 🏟 **Match:** Afghanistan against Ireland (One-off Test, Dehradun)
Mujeeb made his **Test debut** and took **5/49** in the second innings, helping Afghanistan secure their **third-ever Test win**.
**Why Memorable?** - Proved he wasn’t only a T20 specialist.
- Became the first Afghan spinner to collect a five-wicket haul in Tests.
### **4. The Controversial No-Ball in BBL 2021 (Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers)** 📅 ** Date:** January 6, 2021 🏟 **Match:** Brisbane Heat versus Sydney Sixers
Mujeeb bowled what appeared like a superb delivery to remove **James Vince**, but it was declared a **no-ball** for overstepping. Replays indicated his foot was **millimeters behind the line**, generating huge discussion.
**Why Shocking?** - The decision lost Brisbane Heat the match.
- Fans and experts blasted the umpiring mistake.
### **5. Match-Winning Spell versus West Indies (2023 ODI World Cup Qualifiers)** 📅 ** Date:** June 26, 2023 🏟 **Match:** Afghanistan versus West Indies
Mujeeb’s **3/28** destroyed the West Indies’ batting order, reducing them to **153 runs**. Afghanistan chased the goal comfortably, sending the two-time world champions out of the **2023 ODI World Cup**.
**Why Memorable?** - Knocked out a behemoth like West Indies.
- Proved Afghanistan’s development as a cricketing force.
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## **Conclusion: The Future of Mujeeb Ur Rahman**
Mujeeb Ur Rahman has already done more than most cricketers dream of—**before even reaching 23**. With his **mystery spin, precise accuracy, and fearless approach**, he is likely to dominate global cricket for years to come.
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