Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar

Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar is a world-class left-arm spinner who has made an emphatic rise into Afghanistan’s national setup, earning Test and ODI debuts in quick succession and proving himself as one of the country’s premier spin talents. Making his ODI debut against Bangladesh in July 2023, Akbar transitioned seamlessly into red-ball cricket, where he made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in February 2024. It didn’t take long for him to make an impact — in just his second Test, he spun Afghanistan to victory with a brilliant 5-64 against Ireland in Abu Dhabi.

Akbar's elevation to the international stage was never in doubt for those who followed his domestic dominance. He holds the record as the equal quickest to 100 first-class wickets in over 70 years, after a remarkable 2017/18 campaign that saw him snare 101 wickets at 19.75. That season alone included eight five-wicket hauls, two ten-wicket match performances, and best figures of 7-70. His consistency across both editions of the Ahmad Shah Abdali 4-Day Tournament — 55 wickets in one season, 46 in the next — firmly planted him on the selectors' radar.

Since then, Akbar has continued to dominate at domestic level across all formats. At the time of writing, he has 215 first-class wickets at 20.47, alongside strong returns in List A (87 wickets at 23.10) and T20 (44 wickets at 22.38) formats. Though primarily a bowler, he’s also shown flashes with the bat, including two first-class fifties, and is widely considered a developing spin-bowling all-rounder.

His excellence extends beyond Afghanistan’s borders. In 2022, Akbar lit up the Liverpool League while playing for Lytham, finishing the season with an astonishing 85 wickets at just 6.67, including a streak of twelve five-wicket hauls. His final five match figures — 7-26, 7-22, 9-36, 6-43, and 7-26 — were nothing short of extraordinary, underlining his ability to run through sides with guile and control.

Now firmly established as a Test bowler and fresh off further appearances in Afghanistan’s 2025 Test series against Zimbabwe, Akbar is eager to return to the UK in 2026. He’s available from April to September, subject to national duties, and already has accommodation arranged in London (SW17 9TN). While London-based, he is open to opportunities across the UK and brings with him the pedigree of a proven international match-winner and a consummate professional.