Introduction
Emerging cricketer from Herat, Afghanistan, Noor Ahmad, born on January 3, 2005, is rapidly establishing himself as a formidable left-arm wrist-spinner. His distinctive bowling style has garnered attention in both Afghan domestic cricket and prominent T20 leagues globally. A significant leap in his career occurred with his acquisition by the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL). During his IPL appearances, he has consistently demonstrated his capacity to secure crucial wickets and maintain composure in high-pressure scenarios. His skill set has brought in comparisons to Rashid Khan, who is also from Afghanistan. As a result, Noor Ahmad is now recognized as a highly promising young spin bowler within the international cricket community.
Quick Info
| Full Name | Noor Ahmad Lakanwal |
| Nickname | Noorie |
| Date of Birth | 3 January 2005 (age 20) |
| Father | Mohammad Amir |
| Martial Status | Unmarried |
| Nation | Afghanistan |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Left-arm unorthodox spin |
| Role | Bowler |
| ODI debut | 30 November 2022 (Srilanka) |
| T20 debut | 14 June 2022 (Zimbawe) |
| IPL debut | 16 April 2023 |
| Hometown | Khost |
| Height | 5’9” (175 cm) |
| Profession | Cricketer |
| Jersey Number | 15 |
| Religion | Muslim |
| Coach / Mentor | Raees Ahmadzai |
Early Life and Background of Noor Ahmad
Noor Ahmad Lakanwal was born into a humble family in Herat, Afghanistan. His passion for cricket was evident from a young age. Inspired by Afghan cricketing stars like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, Noor began practicing leg-spin in the streets of Herat.
At the age of 14, he made his mark in Afghan domestic cricket, impressing selectors with his sharp turn, deceptive googlies, and impeccable control. His performances quickly drew attention from franchise scouts, setting him on the path to professional cricket.
Cricket Career
Noor Ahmad made his professional debut in Afghanistan’s domestic circuit. His sharp bowling skills made him a regular pick in T20 leagues around the world.
Key Domestic and T20 Leagues Stats:
- Afghan One Day Cup: Debuted in 2019, finishing with impressive figures.
- Big Bash League (BBL): Played for Melbourne Renegades in the 2020–21 season, picking up crucial wickets.
- Pakistan Super League (PSL): Represented Quetta Gladiators, gaining vital T20 experience.
- The Hundred (England): Drafted by Welsh Fire, showcasing his adaptability in English conditions.
International Debut
Noor Ahmad made his T20 International (T20I) debut for Afghanistan on June 14, 2022, against Zimbabwe. His ability to keep the run rate in check and deliver breakthroughs in crucial moments earned him praise from cricket experts.
IPL Journey
Noor Ahmad was signed by the Gujarat Titans during the IPL 2022 mega auction for ₹30 lakh. Although he played only a few matches in the 2022 season, he became a key player in IPL 2023, often bowling alongside Rashid Khan.Noor’s ability to bowl in the powerplay and death overs made him a vital asset for Gujarat Titans. His accurate line, sharp turns, and tricky variations often troubled even the most seasoned batsmen.
Noor Ahmad IPL Auction Price History
| Year | Price | Team |
| 2022 | 30.00 Lakh | Gujarat |
| 2023 | 30.00 Lakh | Gujarat |
| 2024 | 30.00 Lakh | Gujarat |
| 2024 | 10.00 crore | Chennai |
Playing Style and Strengths
Noor Ahmad is a left-arm unorthodox spinner, a rarity in modern-day cricket. His main strengths include:
- Deceptive Googly: His disguised googly often deceives batsmen, leading to frequent dismissals.
- Variation in Flight and Pace: Noor mixes up his flighted deliveries and faster balls effectively, making it difficult for batters to read him.
- Accuracy and Control: Despite being a wrist spinner, he maintains a tight line and length, keeping the run rate in check.
- Calm Under Pressure: Noor is known for handling pressure situations maturely, making him effective in the death overs.
Personal Life and Interests
Despite his growing fame, Noor Ahmad prefers to keep a low profile. He is known for his humility and dedication to cricket.
In his free time, he enjoys:
- Playing football with friends.
- Watching classic cricket matches to learn from the best spinners.
- Following his cricketing idols, especially Rashid Khan, from whom he draws inspiration.
Future Prospects Of Noor Ahmad
Noor Ahmad’s cricketing journey is just getting started. With his exceptional bowling skills, he is expected to:
- Become a regular in Afghanistan’s T20I and ODI squads.
- Attract higher bids in future IPL auctions.
- Emerge as a key player in global T20 leagues like the Big Bash, PSL, and The Hundred.
- Make his ODI and Test debut soon, further strengthening Afghanistan’s bowling attack.
FAQs About Noor Ahmad
1. Who is Noor Ahmad?
Noor Ahmad is an Afghan cricketer known for his left-arm wrist spin bowling. He was born on January 3, 2005, in Herat, Afghanistan. Despite his young age, he has made a significant impact in various T20 leagues around the world.
2. What is Noor Ahmad’s playing style?
Noor is a left-arm wrist spinner (also known as a left-arm chinaman bowler). His bowling is characterized by sharp turn, deceptive variations, and effective googlies, making him a tricky bowler in T20 cricket.
3. Which teams has Noor Ahmad played for?
Noor has played for several teams in domestic and franchise cricket, including:
- Afghanistan national team
- Gujarat Titans (Indian Premier League)
- Melbourne Renegades (Big Bash League)
- Kabul Eagles (Shpageeza Cricket League)
- Jaffna Kings (Lanka Premier League)
- Quetta Gladiators (Pakistan Super League)
4. When did Noor Ahmad make his IPL debut?
Noor made his IPL debut for the Gujarat Titans in April 2023. His impressive performances in the league gained him recognition as a rising star in the cricketing world.
5. What are Noor Ahmad’s strengths as a bowler?
His main strengths include:
- Accurate line and length
- Effective variations, including a well-disguised googly
- Ability to bowl economically in powerplays and at the death
6. What is Noor Ahmad’s age?
As of April 2025, Noor Ahmad is 20 years old.
7. Is Noor Ahmad a part of Afghanistan’s national team?
Yes, Noor has represented Afghanistan in both T20 and ODI formats. He is seen as a promising spinner for Afghanistan’s future cricket endeavors.
8. What is Noor Ahmad’s best bowling performance?
Noor’s standout performances have come in T20 leagues, where he has taken multiple three-wicket hauls. In the IPL 2023, he recorded figures of 3/37 against the Rajasthan Royals, showcasing his wicket-taking ability.
9. Does Noor Ahmad play in Test matches?
As of now, Noor is primarily a limited-overs specialist, focusing on T20s and ODIs. He is yet to make his Test debut.
10. What makes Noor Ahmad unique as a bowler?
Noor’s uniqueness lies in his left-arm wrist spin, which is rare in cricket. His ability to bowl consistent googlies and surprise the batsmen with subtle variations makes him difficult to read.
11. Has Noor Ahmad won any awards or recognitions?
While Noor hasn’t won major individual awards yet, he has been praised for his performances in franchise cricket, earning recognition as one of the most promising young spinners.
12. What is Noor Ahmad’s economy rate in T20 cricket?
Noor maintains an impressive economy rate of around 7-8 runs per over in T20 cricket, making him an effective bowler in middle and death overs.
13. How did Noor Ahmad start his cricket career?
Noor started playing cricket at a young age in Afghanistan. His talent was quickly recognized, and he made his debut in the Shpageeza Cricket League before gaining opportunities in international and franchise cricket.
14. Is Noor Ahmad active on social media?
Yes, Noor is active on Instagram and Twitter, where he shares updates about his cricketing journey, matches, and personal moments.
15. What is Noor Ahmad’s jersey number?
In most T20 leagues, Noor wears jersey number 20, though it may vary based on the team he plays for.
