Prior to Saturday's Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 2016-17 season match between Chittagong Vikings and Rajshahi Kings in Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, hardly anyone had heard of Afif Hossain, the 17-year old cricketer from Khulna.
However, Afif, also known as Dhrubo, wasted very little time in making a mark when he made his BPL debut for Rajshahi against the in-form Chittagong. Handed the ball by captain Darren Sammy in the fifth over of Chittagong's innings, the young off-spinner displayed sheer brilliance, eventually ending up with magical bowling figure of 5/21 from his four overs.
In the process, the youngster created a host of records, including registering the best bowling figure in the ongoing BPL 4. What's more, he is the youngest cricketer in T20 history to bag five wickets, surpassing Pakistan's Ziaul Haque.
Afif, a former student of BKSP and currently the vice-captain of the Bangladesh under-19 team, is chiefly a left-handed batsman with the reputation of being a hard-hitter. Recently, he smashed two hundreds and a fifty in practice matches and is scheduled to take part in the upcoming U-19 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka later this month.
Coming back to the game, the right-arm spinner initially faced the music as he was struck for two consecutive boundaries by Jahurul Islam in his first two deliveries.
But he came back strongly and trapped Jahurul in front. With that said, there were slight doubts regarding the decision dished out by umpire Nadir Shah. Afif though didn't mind one bit. After all, it was his maiden BPL wicket.
The offie went on to pick up the huge wicket of West Indies big-hitter Chris Gayle off a delivery that hit the timber.
Afif did not have to look back since then as he bowled with great authority to restrict Chittagong to a below-par total of 111/9.
Interestingly, Afif was deemed to have a suspect bowling action when he joined the U-19 squad ahead of the U-19 World Cup before his action was rectified under the guidance of Bangladesh Cricket Board’s game development coach Mahbub Zaki.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
