Afghanistan are set to play New Zealand in a landmark one-off Test match in Greater Noida, India, starting on Monday. As anticipation grows, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his excitement about two young Afghan batters—Riaz Hassan and Bahir Shah—whom he believes could be pivotal to Afghanistan's future in Test cricket.
Ravichandran Ashwin praised the pair on the social media platform X, drawing comparisons to former Indian cricket stars Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif, who were instrumental in India's cricketing success in the early 2000s.
Ashwin sees Riaz Hassan and Bahir Shah as key players who could help strengthen Afghanistan’s batting lineup, which has so far relied heavily on experienced players like Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah.
"This one-off Test will be fun to watch. We know Afghanistan produces incredible talent, but the one area of solidity and stability they need is from their batting department," Ashwin wrote. "They have Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah oozing class, but not much else to follow, and that is why I am excited to see what Riaz Hassan and Bahir Shah have to offer."
Ashwin highlighted the duo’s impressive domestic records, noting that both players boast first-class averages above 55, indicating their potential to lead Afghanistan to future success.
"Both of them are promising, and their first-class averages are in excess of 55. The first signs of India's strong future came via @YUVSTRONG12 and @MohammadKaif in the 2000s as they came through the U-19s," Ashwin said.
Riaz Hassan, 22, has played five ODIs for Afghanistan, scoring 120 runs at an average of 30. However, his first-class record is even more impressive, with 901 runs in 18 innings at an average of 56.31, including three centuries and three fifties.
Bahir Shah, 24, made his Test debut against Bangladesh last year but managed only seven runs in his sole innings. Nevertheless, his first-class career is notable, with 3,254 runs at an average of 59.16 from 69 innings, including 10 centuries and 14 half-centuries.
"These two players could give us a sneak peek into what Afghanistan may go on to accomplish in the next decade or so," Ashwin added.
As Afghanistan face New Zealand in this historic match, expectations will be high for Riaz Hassan and Bahir Shah. Fans and cricket enthusiasts alike will be keen to see if these promising players can translate their domestic success to the international stage, providing Afghanistan with the batting strength needed for sustained achievements in Test cricket.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
