Certainly the Mumbai Indians thought highly enough of him to pay 4.8 crore (around £450K) for his services for this year's IPL, before a back injury ruled him out of the competition, as it did the Champions Trophy. Based on his performances in 2024, it is likely that his appearance in those tournaments would have heightened awareness, but put him well outside of Derbyshire's budget. It is equally fair to say that this signing probably wouldn't have happened without the international contacts of Mickey Arthur. The Derbyshire Head of Cricket is good friends with Mahela Jayawardena, the head coach of Mumbai and former Sri Lankan captain.
Of course there is a risk in signing an overseas player of such tender years, just as there was when we signed the largely unknown Zaman Khan, also for the Vitality Blast, a couple of years back. There is also risk in signing a player who has missed several months of cricket with a back injury. But Derbyshire will have done due diligence on that one and will have been assured of his fitness for a stint in the Vitality Blast.
So what sort of player are we getting?
If you Google his name he comes up as an offspin bowler, but that isn't close to the full story. Few have been able to consistently pick Ghazanfar's variations in his short time on the first class cricket scene. There is the carrom ball, top spin and back spin in his armoury, making him a challenge to take on with confidence. His fast action preserves the mystery and to merely play him as an off spin bowler is fraught with risk.
He emerged from the 2024 Under-19 T20 World Cup, where he took eight wickets at an economy rate of just 3.35 runs per over. That he was initially preferred by Mumbai for this year's IPL, over the talented Mujeeb Ur Rahman of Bangladesh, speaks volumes for his talent and huge potential.
In senior cricket he has just 30 wickets in 19 T20 matches, but has only gone for six runs an over. Whether some wiley old professionals might work him out is a moot point, but the merits of signing a player that many will not have heard of is that few will have faced his potent blend of spin both ways. At 6'2 he will also get bounce and is very much the sort of aggressive spinner that Samit Patel alluded to our needing, a few weeks ago. I look forward to watching his bowling partnership with the Derbyshire white ball captain.
A highest score of 1 in his five T20 knocks suggests he hasn't been signed to lengthen the batting, but if he can keep control or wreak havoc in the middle overs of matches he will have done his job. A YouTube video of his 31 against South Africa in a fifty-over game suggests he can handle a bat and hit a long ball, but supporters will hope we don't often require his services.
Others may disagree, but I applaud this signing. It is left-field and innovative, something that I cannot criticise. A lack of experience may come into the equation at some point, but age isn't an issue if you have the talent. Hampshire signed the precocious Lhuan-dre Pretorius, only a year older, a few weeks ago, confident that the young South African tyro can translate his clear talent to English pitches. And who is to say that Harry Moore might not play a role in the tournament this year? Youth should be no barrier and if you are good enough, you are old enough. Sachin Tendulkar let no one down when he was overseas player for Yorkshire at the age of 19.
I will be fascinated to see if Ghazanfar, the first Afghan overseas player to represent Derbyshire, can do similarly.
Based on what I have seen, I wouldn't bet against it. Have a look at this footage below, which clearly shows what the talented young man has to offer.
Welcome to Derbyshire, Allah!
Looks an interesting signing. Will be good to see how he goes.
ReplyDeleteHarry Moore picked up a Hundred deal so be surprised if he doesn't play a role in the Blast for Derbyshire given the Birmingham Phoenix rate his white ball skills enough to pay him 41.5k.
I, for one, am looking forward to seeing him in action. A young lad far from home will need support from us to feel comfortable and perform at his best.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting signing indeed Steve
Andy
This could be an absolute master stroke of a signing …… or a disaster given his back problems which at his age is very worrying given he is also a spinner. I also fail to share your optimism around Derbyshire’s “ due diligence” which as we know over the years has failed miserably.
ReplyDeleteAll that said though I think he is worth the risk and I look forward to seeing him in the summer.
Paul
Fair enough Paul, but you can't blame the current regime for the faults of previous ones. If it went pear-shaped, they will have a plan B and C in place.
DeleteBut they will have been assured of his recovery and will expect him for the start of the tournament.
He sounds a good signing. He will be keen to impress.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see Harry Moore getting called up for The Hundred. With the exposure he might get, let's hope we can hang on to him.
He has been sensibly signed until the end of 2027 at this stage. He needs regular cricket and will undoubtedly get it at Derbyshire.
DeleteYeah this is what we want. We will always be outpriced for the biggest names, so young guns like this who are ready to make a name for themselves is the way. Big thumbs up from me.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Adam. It could go either way, much like one of his deliveries, but I will always applaud innovation and thinking outside of the box.
DeleteJust the sort of bowler we need for the T20, so credit to MA and the club.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned, great news for Harry Moore acquiring a Hundred contract. I see Wayne will be spending some time in London in August!
Thanks Steve, good piece. I'm all for this too, hopefully he can do a good job and bring some excitement along. Zaman Khan was probably my favourite overseas player of recent times (loved those slingy yorkers!) and let's hope this lad can be as good as Zaman was.
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that Caleb Jewell scored a century overnight for Tasmania. The bad news is Blair Tickner has a shoulder injury and is not playing at present. If fit he will not be available until game 2 v Leicestershire
ReplyDelete