IPL 2021: Will this 20-year-old Afghanistan pacer replace Josh Hazlewood in Chennai Super Kings side?

Fazalhaq Farooqi, the 20-year-old Afghanistan pacer, has been impressive in the practice sessions for Chennai Super Kings before IPL 2021.

Fazalhaq Farooqi file photo, Image credit: Facebook/Fazalhaq Farooqi
By Siddharth vishwanathan | Apr 4, 2021 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Chennai Super Kings have been practicing hard for IPL 2021 at the Wankhede stadium. However, in a recent video that has gone viral, one left-arm pacer has grabbed plenty of attention. In the 18-second video, he regularly beats Robin Uthappa and gets the outside edges. Such is his pace and prowess that many have tipped him to replace Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood in the Chennai Super Kings side. Hazlewood opted to skip IPL 2021 due to the biobubble fatigue. 

Who is the left-arm pacer that has made waves in social media? The bowler in question is 20-year-old Fazalhaq Farooqi from Afghanistan. Farooqi is one of the net bowlers for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021. His quick pace could prove to be effective, with the red soil of the Wankhede stadium providing extra pace and bounce. With Chennai Super Kings missing a left-arm pacer, Farooqi could be the ideal choice for Chennai Super Kings.

https://twitter.com/CSK_Zealots/status/1377948456547803143

Who is Fazalhaq Farooqi?

Farooqi made his debut in the Twenty20 International against Zimbabwe in 2021 in Abu Dhabi. He conceded 27 runs and got the wicket of Tinashe Kamunhukamwe for 1. Farooqi started his cricket career in 2019 playing for the Amo Region. His first major contribution was a haul of 3/33 in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup for Afghanistan against South Africa in Benoni. In that match, he and legspinner Shafiqullah Ghafari took a total of seven wickets as Afghanistan upset the hosts.

In 12 First Class games, he has taken 22 wickets which includes a haul of 6/26. Farooqi has played only two T20s. However, if he is included in the Chennai Super Kings, he could prove to be the X-factor the team needs. Chennai Super Kings will begin their IPL 2021 campaign against Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede stadium on April 10.

In the last IPL, Chennai Super Kings failed to reach the playoffs for the first time in their history. They would be hoping that this is not repeated in 2021.





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