Watch out for these 5 players in Afghanistan Premier League

The 2018 Afghanistan Premier League is set to get underway in a day's time and the teams are already sweating it out to win the tournament. The five-team tournament will feature some world-class players including the likes of Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Andre Russell, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman etc.

Apart from these names, a lot of other players will be taking part in the tournament to prove a point to many. Let us take a look at some of the players to watch out for in the upcoming tournament.

5. Zahir Khan (Nangarhar Leopards)

Zahir Khan Pakteen has been having a memorable 2018 as he was a part of the Afghanistan under-19 side that reached the semi finals of the 2018 under-19 World Cup. He was also picked by Rajasthan Royals in the 2018 IPL auction but unfortunately, the chinaman bowler did not take part in the T20 extravaganza as he was ruled out of the tournament due to an injury and was replaced by New Zealand leg spinner Ish Sodhi.

He was later a part of Lancashire Lightnings in the Natwest T20 Blast and had a decent tournament. He was instrumental in the Red Roses' successful run in the competition that was ended by the eventual champions Worcestershire Rapids in the semis. The 19-year-old chinaman, who is next in the line of Afghanistan's spin bowling factory, has played 15 games and has taken 24 wickets in the format at an average of 16 and an economy of just over 7.

Playing for Nangarhar, a team that already has spinners like Mujeeb ur Rahman and Sandeep Lamichhane, Zakir will be hoping to have a good tournament and make it to the Afghanistan side for the World Cup.

4. Luke Ronchi (Kabul Zwanan)

With a lot of star attractions in the league, Australia-born New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi is someone who can set the tournament on fire with his batting. It was at the same place earlier this year where he stamped his authority on some of the world-class bowlers in the 2018 Pakistan Super League.

His performance in the tournament not only saw his team Islamabad United win the title but also earned him the Player of the Tournament award as he ended the tournament as the leading run-scorer with 435 runs in 11 innings at an average of 43.50 and a strike-rate of 182.

Ronchi will turn out for the Rashid Khan-led Kabul Zwanan and with lack of some established batsmen in the side, Ronchi will have his task cut out when he takes the field in the Afghanistan Premier League.

3. Azmatullah Omarzai (Paktia Panthers)

One of the best knocks in the 2019 under-19 World Cup was Afghanistan teenager Azmatullah Omarzai's 23-ball 66 which included three fours and seven sixes against hosts New Zealand in the quarter-final of the tournament.

That was the moment Azmatullah showed the world what he is capable of and turning out for Paktia Panthers, the 18-year-old will look to repeat his heroics from the tournament and make a strong point to the Afghan selectors.

Apart from being a big-hotting batsman down the order, Azmatullah is also a medium pacer, who can chip in with a few overs when needed.

2. Colin Munro (Balkh Legends)

Without a fraction of doubt, New Zealand batsman Colin Munro is easily one of the best, if not the best T20 batsman going around at the moment. The left-hander has been having a new lease of life ever since he was promoted to open the innings for his country in the shortest format of the game.

Since then, he has given his team quick starts and has went on to register as many as three T20I centuries, one of the two batsmen to do so. Munro is in a purple patch of his own as he was one of the most important reasons why Trinbago Knight Riders won the 2018 Caribbean Premier League last month.

He will look to continue his rich vein of form in the APL where he will be turning out for Balkh Legends and is likely to open the batting with Chris Gayle.

1. Shafiqullah Shafaq (Nangarhar Leopards)

Shafiqullah Shafiq is one of the most prominent names in Afghanistan as the 29-year-old has represented his country in 24 ODIs and 41 T20Is.

Shafiq is a hard-hitting batsman who can take away the game from the opposition in a matter of few balls. In the 41 T20Is he has played for the Afghans, he has scored his 436 runs at an average of just over 16 and a strike-rate in excess of 146. But, he has been out of the national team due to his inconsistency.

A good show in the upcoming tournament will help him get back into the reckoning for a place in the Afghan middle-order.

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