AM Ghazanfar: Afghanistan Off-S Ready to Excel

It seemed inevitable that Afghanistan’s AM Ghazanfar would be an off-spinner. He struggled in 2022 to decide whether to try bowling spin or stick with fast bowling. 

After that, he contacted Dawlat Zadran, a former Afghanistan pacer and mentor, who agreed to take the head coaching job at Kabul’s famed Muhammad Mirza Katawazai Cricket Center.

“I noticed that his bowling action lacked adequate alignment after analyzing his quick bowling style. But his spin bowling ability, similar to that of a medium pacer, showed a potential alignment, which pleased me. 

I informed Ghazanfar that we would have to start over if he wanted to be a spinner, even though I knew it would take time and work,” Dawlat recently told Aviator Predictor.

His brother, the manager, also urged me to accept this assignment, emphasizing their conviction that Ghazanfar would greatly benefit from my background in coaching elite players,” he stated.

“I stated my desire to help this young bowler become a top-tier spinner, but I first wanted to assess his fast bowling ability. I talked to Ghazanfar, and he told me he wasn’t sure if he wanted to bowl fast or spin. 

He revealed that people frequently urged him to concentrate on quick bowling because of his height, but he was not happy with his own performance in that area,” he continued.

Ghazanfar has not looked back since he took advantage of his opportunity in the Shpageeza Cricket League, according to Dawlat.

We set up a preparatory camp since the league was returning after a long break. Ghazanfar began his career as a net bowler, training with both domestic and foreign cricket players, according to Dawlat.

“Under Asghar Afghan’s leadership, our squad encountered difficulties, dropping the opening two games. Seeing that we needed another spinner in our team.

I told Asghar that, even though Ghazanfar was a net bowler, he may be a useful addition because of the spin-friendly circumstances in Kabul. I gave my thoughts on Ghazanfar’s skills after two years of teaching him to spin bowling when Asghar asked for my advice,” he stated.

However, choosing him was difficult because Ghazanfar was only a net bowler and not on the otookcialot of work. We contacted Shir Agha Hamkar, the Shpageeza Cricket League’s leader, and asked him to add Ghazanfar to our squad as a spinner. 

We eventually got approval to include him in the team for the upcoming game. Ghazanfar put on a fantastic display in that game, claiming four or five wickets and showcasing his ability to trick batters. In addition to earning him recognition, his outstanding performance set the stage for his growing reputation,” he continued.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board quickly took notice of Ghazanfar and placed him under their wing. Still, Dawlat claims that his experience with the Kolkata Knight Riders following his selection in the most recent IPL season was very beneficial to him.

He had the chance to engage extensively with seasoned coaches and foreign players throughout the camp, considerably improving his comprehension of the sport. Interestingly, he even bowled to a few of these elite players during practice sessions, which used to make him nervous. 

His anxieties and the pressure he felt when playing in front of such a prestigious audience were significantly reduced by this exposure, according to Dawlat.

In addition to improving his bowling technique, the training camp (at the KKR nets) was a life-changing event that helped Ghazanfar overcome his fear of playing against elite players. 

He obtained helpful information and methods he could use in his practice by interacting closely with coaches and athletes worldwide. 

He claimed that his residual reservations about his skills were further eased by the encouragement and sense of belonging that the camp’s companionship and support provided.

Everyone in his immediate vicinity observed Ghazanfar’s newfound confidence and drive upon his return to Afghanistan. Everyone in his immediate vicinity observed. 

His classmates and fans back home were inspired by his experiences at the KKR training camp and showed respect and appreciation for him. He claimed that this acknowledgment inspired him to dedicate himself more fully to his training regimen.

“Ghazanfar was resolved to improve after the KKR experience, which gave him more self-assurance. He stepped up his efforts, spending more time and effort honing his craft and developing his abilities. 

The training camp’s beneficial effects on his self-esteem inspired him to work harder than ever before, which sparked a hunger for further development. 

In the end, Ghazanfar’s time at the KKR training camp was more than just a fleeting opportunity; it was a turning point in his cricket career that altered his perspective on the game and put him on a course for unrelenting commitment and development,” he stated.

Dawlat went on to say that he is confident in Ghazanfar after his brilliant performance against Bangladesh in the series opener, where he took six wickets, and he expects him to do well on the forthcoming visit of Zimbabwe. 

Now that he is back in the national team following a protracted injury layoff, he will be a formidable opponent for Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Over time, there has been a noticeable growth in his mental toughness, especially in his confidence. His confidence keeps increasing as he gets more experience in each series, improving his performance. Every game boosts his confidence and visibility, which advances his growth as a player. 

His growing capacity to handle difficulties on the field indicates this steady development, which pushes him to a higher level of play. I do not doubt that he will perform admirably against Zimbabwe in the forthcoming series,” he stated.

Additionally, Dawlat stated that Ghazanfar should focus on playing longer-version cricket since he can become an all-format player and could follow in Ravichandran Ashwin’s footsteps.

“Ghazanfar can develop into a superb bowler in all cricket formats. However, becoming proficient in the game’s longer format takes time and commitment. 

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He should play domestic four-day matches, which is essential for experience, to become a top-tier Test bowler. He will be able to bowl many overs by spending a lot of time on the field, which is an essential ability in Test cricket.