Afghanistan’s Uncle – Nephew Partnership

by Rex Clementine

In politics we have seen uncles and nephews batting together. Here we have a political party too that is famous for uncles promoting nephews. If you notice the one off Test between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan at SSC this week, the opposition’s opening batters had the same surname – Ibrahim Zadran and Noor Ali Zadran. They are uncle and nephew.

Ibrahim, is a sort of veteran in Afghan cricket although he is only 22-years-old. He has featured in his nation’s six of the eight Test matches. He is the nephew. Noor Ali was making his debut and he is 35-years-old. He is the uncle.

Isn’t it strange. For a 35-year-old to make his debut and the first Test cap to be handed over by the nephew. But that is what happened at SSC at the start of the Test match. This is a funny game we told you.

So how did the uncle and nephew fare? Pretty well actually although Afghanistan lost by ten wickets.

Noor Ali is a solid opener playing the waiting game willing to bat deep. His game though is limited. Which is why it has taken him so long to make a look in. Gusty cricketer though. Ibrahim will go onto become one of the greats of the game going by the early signs. He is a treat to watch with a tight defence and attacking instinct pouncing on the loose balls.

Ibrahim has already gone onto become a sensation in limited overs cricket. He posted his maiden Test hundred at SSC.

Noor Ali scored 31 and 47 in the Test. The uncle and nephew added 106 runs for the first wicket in the second innings, a new record for Afghanistan in Test match cricket.

Uncle and nephew representing the same team is something extremely rare leave alone in Test cricket but even First-Class cricket. One occasion that you can recall is Joe Denly being joined by Jayden Denly in English County Cricket. They were playing for Kent.

Afghanistan Head Coach Jonathan Trott applauded Ibrahim’s efforts.

“Ibrahim spent the whole day in the field and then fielded in the morning on the third day of a Test with humidity and the temperature close to 40 degrees. But then also the mental strength it takes as well – getting nought in the first innings, and then being able to field for 100-plus overs, and then being able to spend the amount of time he did at the crease is credit to him as a youngster.”

“It’s a good example for the rest of the players of Afghanistan – the standards of Test cricket, and the fitness you need to call upon. The way that he trains is second to none, and he’s a great ambassador for the game, and the country,” Trott added.

The teams will now move to Kandy for the ODI series. Watch out for the nephew. This could be another Virat Kohli in the making.