Ziaur Rahman

Ziaur Rahman Sharifi is an imposing right-arm fast-medium bowler and a rising talent in Afghanistan’s pace battery. Born on October 17, 1998, in Khost, he first made waves in the domestic circuit with the Speen Ghar Region and Mis Ainak Region. Standing out for his ability to generate significant pace and steep bounce, he made his T20I debut back in 2019 against Ireland but spent several years refining his game in the Ahmad Shah Abdali 4-day Tournament before cementing his place in the senior setup. His breakthrough on the long-format stage came in October 2025, when he made a stunning Test debut against Zimbabwe, claiming seven wickets in the match to announce himself as a multi-format threat.

As of early February 2026, Ziaur Rahman (often referred to as Zia Sharifi) is gaining international recognition as a high-potential 'x-factor' for Afghanistan. He was recently named as a reserve player in Afghanistan’s 15-man squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, following a series of disciplined performances, including a career-best T20I haul of 3/36 against the West Indies in January 2026. His stock in the franchise world is also rising; he recently signed with the Dhaka Capitals to make his debut in the 2026 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). With his ability to strike in the powerplay and his recent experience in high-pressure subcontinental conditions, Ziaur is viewed as the primary backup to Afghanistan's frontline seamers, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq.