Afsar Zazai

Afsar Zazai's talent as a wicketkeeper-batsman was identified early and he was just 16 years old when he was included in Afghanistan's squad for the 2010 Under-19 World Cup. He'd already been on the age group radar for a while, having played for the Under-17 side at the Asian Cricket Council Challenge Cup, and had assured his place in the Under-19 squad with nine dismissals in six games at the U19 World Cup qualifiers in 2009. A developing talent, he went to his second Youth World Cup in 2012, the same year he made his First Class debut for the full Afghan national side in the Intercontinental Cup.

Displaying a maturity beyond his years, he helped Afghanistan overcome Netherlands with six catches and a measured, unbeaten second innings 84. Mohammad Shahzad's presence in the senior team meant he was made to wait for his opportunities, but he made the most of them when they came. Zazai made his ODI debut against United Arab Emirates in November 2014, starting with a tidy 60, a catch and a stumping. He followed that up with 51 in his second ODI, and leapt ahead of Shahzad to be included as Afghanistan's first choice 'keeper for the 2015 World Cup.
Liam Brickhill