Name

Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar

Date of Birth 30/12/1997
Age 27
NationalityAfghan
Player Status
Playing Role Bowler (Spin)
Bowling Style SLA Orthodox Spin
Batting Style LH Lower Order Bat
Entry Route (US/CAN)
Major Teams Afghanistan, Afghanistan A, Afghanistan Emerging Team, Afghanistan U19s, Amo Region, Chattogram Challengers, Mis Ainak Knights, Mis Ainak Region, Paktia Province, Hindukush Strikers
Coaching Qualifications UKCC Level 2
Local Accommodation SW17 9TN

Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar is an exceptional spin bowling talent who has burst into the Afghanistan Test and ODI sides in recent years.

The left-arm tweaker made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in July 2023, before his Test debut against Sri Lanka in February 2024. In his second Test against Ireland in Abu Dhabi, the Afghan star would take his maiden Test 5-for, bagging figures of 5-64 (30), to evidence his ability at the top level.

Akbar's international inclusion in 2023 came as no surprise. The spinner holds the record for the equal quickest bowler to take 100 first-class wickets (in 70-years). He initially broke into domestic cricket during a 2017/18 season that saw him capture 101 first-class wickets. He bagged 8 five-wicket bags, 2 ten-wicket match hauls, best figures of 7-70, and boasted an impressive bowling average of 19.75.

During his maiden domestic season, Akbar excelled in both the Ahmad Shah Abdali (55 wickets at 19.74) and Ahmad Shah Abdali (46 wickets at 19.76) 4-Day Tournaments, respectively. Akbar topped the former wicket charts and finished 4th during the latter to propel his name onto the national radar.

Akbar has continued to shine ever since, dominating the domestic scene across all formats. At the point of writing, he has 183 wickets at 20.67 in 37 first-class matches, in addition to 84 wickets at 23.10, and 32 wickets at 22.28 in List A, and T20s, respectively.

Whilst known for his left-arm spin, he is a useful middle-order bat with 2 first-class fifties and an average of 15. He certainly has the ability to become a genuine spin bowling all-rounder moving forward.

The Afghan star has also enjoyed success in England. Back in 2022, he enjoyed a sensation season playing for Lytham in Division 1 of the Liverpool League. He was simply outstanding - 85 wickets at 6.67 with 12 five-wicket hauls on the bounce to conclude the season. He finished second on the League wicket charts, only finishing 2 wickets behind the leader who bowled 70 more overs. He picked up a wicket every 19.59 balls and enjoyed an economy rate of 2.04. Incredibly, his last 5 game figures read 7-26 (19), 7-22 (21.1), 9-36 (18.5), 6-43 (22.5), and 7-26 (11.4).

An absolute star, Akbar is set to make his return to the UK in 2025 and will be available from April to September. However, he is expected to be unavailable for approximately two weeks in June due to Afghanistan’s one-off Test match against Ireland.

Akbar already has accommodation arranged in London (SW17 9TN) but is open to opportunities in all locations across the UK.

Team (Season) Mts Inns NO Runs HS Ave Ovs Runs Wkts BB Avg
Lytham (2021) 14 11 2 151 48* 16.78 277.3 567 85 9/36 6.67
Name Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar
Date of Birth 30/12/1997
Age 27
NationalityAfghan
Player StatusAvailable
Playing RoleBowler (Spin)
Player Status Available
Bowling Style SLA Orthodox Spin
Batting Style LH Lower Order Bat
Entry Route (US/CAN)
Major Teams Afghanistan, Afghanistan A, Afghanistan Emerging Team, Afghanistan U19s, Amo Region, Chattogram Challengers, Mis Ainak Knights, Mis Ainak Region, Paktia Province, Hindukush Strikers
Coaching Qualifications UKCC Level 2
Local Accommodation SW17 9TN

Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar is an exceptional spin bowling talent who has burst into the Afghanistan Test and ODI sides in recent years.

The left-arm tweaker made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in July 2023, before his Test debut against Sri Lanka in February 2024. In his second Test against Ireland in Abu Dhabi, the Afghan star would take his maiden Test 5-for, bagging figures of 5-64 (30), to evidence his ability at the top level.

Akbar's international inclusion in 2023 came as no surprise. The spinner holds the record for the equal quickest bowler to take 100 first-class wickets (in 70-years). He initially broke into domestic cricket during a 2017/18 season that saw him capture 101 first-class wickets. He bagged 8 five-wicket bags, 2 ten-wicket match hauls, best figures of 7-70, and boasted an impressive bowling average of 19.75.

During his maiden domestic season, Akbar excelled in both the Ahmad Shah Abdali (55 wickets at 19.74) and Ahmad Shah Abdali (46 wickets at 19.76) 4-Day Tournaments, respectively. Akbar topped the former wicket charts and finished 4th during the latter to propel his name onto the national radar.

Akbar has continued to shine ever since, dominating the domestic scene across all formats. At the point of writing, he has 183 wickets at 20.67 in 37 first-class matches, in addition to 84 wickets at 23.10, and 32 wickets at 22.28 in List A, and T20s, respectively.

Whilst known for his left-arm spin, he is a useful middle-order bat with 2 first-class fifties and an average of 15. He certainly has the ability to become a genuine spin bowling all-rounder moving forward.

The Afghan star has also enjoyed success in England. Back in 2022, he enjoyed a sensation season playing for Lytham in Division 1 of the Liverpool League. He was simply outstanding - 85 wickets at 6.67 with 12 five-wicket hauls on the bounce to conclude the season. He finished second on the League wicket charts, only finishing 2 wickets behind the leader who bowled 70 more overs. He picked up a wicket every 19.59 balls and enjoyed an economy rate of 2.04. Incredibly, his last 5 game figures read 7-26 (19), 7-22 (21.1), 9-36 (18.5), 6-43 (22.5), and 7-26 (11.4).

An absolute star, Akbar is set to make his return to the UK in 2025 and will be available from April to September. However, he is expected to be unavailable for approximately two weeks in June due to Afghanistan’s one-off Test match against Ireland.

Akbar already has accommodation arranged in London (SW17 9TN) but is open to opportunities in all locations across the UK.

Team (Season) Mts Inns NO Runs HS Ave Ovs Runs Wkts BB Avg
Lytham (2021) 14 11 2 151 48* 16.78 277.3 567 85 9/36 6.67