Fazalhaq Farooqi: Afghanistan’s Fast-Bowling Sensation

Fazalhaq Farooqi, a left-arm fast bowler from Afghanistan, has quickly become one of the most prominent figures in white-ball cricket. Known for his ability to swing the ball both ways at pace, Farooqi has solidified his position as Afghanistan’s go-to pacer. His journey in international cricket started in 2021, and he has since become a key player for his national team and several franchise teams worldwide.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Farooqi’s cricketing journey began with the Afghanistan domestic circuit, where he made a name for himself long before his international debut. By the time he played in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup, Farooqi was already a regular in the domestic circuit. He made his T20I debut in 2021 and quickly impressed with his pace and ability to swing the ball. His strong performances in T20I cricket led to his ODI debut in early 2022.

Breakthrough in the 2023 ODI World Cup

Although Farooqi had an average outing in the 2022 T20 World Cup, he entered the 2023 ODI World Cup in great form. He claimed 12 wickets from six games against Bangladesh and Pakistan. In the World Cup, he further demonstrated his talent, taking six wickets, including four in a career-best performance against Sri Lanka. His impressive performances in key matches established him as a force to be reckoned with.

Franchise Cricket and IPL Journey

Farooqi made his IPL debut in 2022 when Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) signed him for INR 50 lakh. He was one of SRH’s frontline overseas fast bowlers, alongside Marco Jansen. Despite a challenging start, where he went wicketless in his first two matches, Farooqi dismissed Shikhar Dhawan and Jonny Bairstow in his third game. He finished the 2022 season with an economy rate of 9.16, which was high but also showed his potential.

IPL 2023 and 2024: Mixed Performances

In 2023, Farooqi played four games for SRH. He made an immediate impact, taking the wickets of Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal. While his 2023 season showed promise, SRH decided to bench him for the entire IPL 2024 season. Despite this, Farooqi’s performances in international cricket continued to earn him attention.

2025 IPL and Rajasthan Royals

In 2025, SRH released Farooqi ahead of the mega auction. Despite his success in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he was the joint-highest wicket-taker, SRH chose not to retain him. However, Rajasthan Royals saw his potential and picked him up for INR 2 crore. With his strong performances for Afghanistan, Farooqi is expected to make a significant impact in the IPL 2025 season.

Farooqi’s Legacy and Future

Fazalhaq Farooqi’s rise from the domestic circuit to the international stage has been remarkable. He has proven himself as a key player for Afghanistan, both in white-ball cricket and in franchise leagues. His ability to swing the ball at pace and his development as a death bowler make him a valuable asset for any team. As he joins Rajasthan Royals in 2025, Farooqi’s journey is far from over, and he is set to achieve even greater heights in the future.