Full Name: Hazratullah Zazai Date of Birth: March 23, 1998 Birthplace: Paktia, Afghanistan Teams: Afghanistan National Team, Peshawar Zalmi (PSL), Dhaka Dynamites (BPL), Mis Ainak Knights (Shpageeza League) If Afghanistan’s cricketing narrative needed a fearless face at the top, it found it in Hazratullah Zazai. With every high-flying six and every audacious swing of the bat, Zazai has cemented himself as one of the most explosive openers to emerge from the nation — a man who treats power-hitting not just as a skill, but an art. Born in Paktia Province, Zazai came from modest beginnings, like many Afghan cricketers. His journey wasn’t defined by elite academies or structured training, but by raw talent and an unshakable belief in his ability to hit big. From the dusty fields of his hometown to cricketing arenas around the world, Zazai's rise has been a tale of aggression, audacity, and ambition. He made his T20I debut against the UAE in December 2016 but truly burst into global consciousness in 2018, when he achieved a feat that only a few had ever done — hitting six sixes in a single over during the Afghanistan Premier League. That moment not only went viral but also declared that Zazai was no ordinary batter — he was built for headlines. But it was his unforgettable 162 off 62 balls* against Ireland in 2019 that truly immortalized him in T20I history. It wasn’t just the highest individual score by an Afghan in T20Is — it was the second-highest T20I score ever recorded, behind only Aaron Finch. That innings included 16 sixes, equaling the record for most sixes in a T20I innings. In the same match, Zazai and Usman Ghani stitched together a 236-run partnership, the highest ever for any wicket in T20Is. Zazai’s approach to batting is simple: attack from ball one. His natural hitting arc, combined with brute strength, allows him to clear boundaries with ease. He’s particularly deadly in the powerplay, often dismantling fast bowlers with lofted drives, pick-up shots, and slashes through point. While his game is still maturing in the ODI format, he continues to be a match-winner in T20s. In franchise cricket, Zazai has made his presence felt in the Bangladesh Premier League, Pakistan Super League, and Afghanistan’s domestic leagues. His performances for Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL, especially his 66* off 27 balls in a high-pressure playoff, showed his ability to perform on big nights. Yet, behind the booming sixes is a humble, grounded individual. Off the field, Zazai is soft-spoken, respectful, and focused on continuous improvement. Coaches describe him as someone who listens, adapts, and is eager to evolve beyond just power-hitting — working on footwork, strike rotation, and shot selection. While challenges around consistency have sometimes followed him, one thing is certain — when Zazai gets going, few bowlers in world cricket can stop the storm. For Afghanistan, he’s not just an opener; he’s a tone-setter, a game-changer, and a beacon of how fearless cricket can ignite hope in a young, ambitious cricketing nation.