Malahide is pleased to welcome talented Afghanistani batter Younas Ahmadzai to the club for their 2023 season.
Ahmadzai is an explosive batter currently living in Wicklow County (Ireland) having undergone the Asylum process.
Prior to relocating to Ireland, Younas enjoyed success at domestic level, culminating with Afghanistan Under-19, A, and Emerging Player’s inclusion.
He has excelled at all levels to date. After featuring for Afghanistan at the 2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup, he was picked up by the ‘A’ side in January 2016.
Younas starred on debut, striking a brilliant century (101) against Zimbabwe, which he followed up with 50 in the second match. A year later, he struck another century against Zimbabwe (104), this time in the 50-over format, before an outstanding 51 against India Emerging Players in March 2017.
He continued to churn runs for fun at the domestic level, this time helping Band-e-Amir Region to the 2017/18 Ahmad Shah Abdali 4-Day title, courtesy of 852 runs at 38.72. He saved his best performance for the final, striking a match-winning double-century, finishing 210 not out from 252 balls.
He subsequently rattled off a further 2 centuries, with season averages of 34.37 (2018/19), and 44.00 (2019/20).
Younas is a well-rounded cricketer – not only adept at batting time, as he proved during his double ton in the ASA final, but also an exceptional ball-striker in white-ball cricket, with a T20 strike rate nudging 120.
Whilst known for his batting ability, Younas is a competent off-spinner, but due to the strength and depth of spin in Afghanistan, bowling opportunities at domestic level are limited.
An incredibly talented cricketer – Younas headed to England to join up with Ashington for their North East Premier League campaign in 2022. Playing alongside England quick Mark Wood, the Afghan impressed scoring 860 runs at 33.08 alongside 21 wickets at 26.29 for the club.
The Afghan star is now eager to impress for his new Irish club having signed with Malahide for their 2023 Leinster Cricket Union campaign.
