Farooqui led Afghanistan’s attack in the T20 World Cup, tormenting the batsmen by moving the ball both ways.
Matt Lawler
Fazal Haq Farooqui has braved two months on the bench in the IPL to lead the bowling charts in the opening stages of the T20 World Cup 2024. With combined figures of 12 for 42 in 11.2 overs from the three matches, he believes his partnership with Dwayne Bravo can pay off when the pressure mounts against Afghanistan in the Super Eights.
Farooqui’s left-arm angle has proven lethal with the new ball; he can swing the ball both ways and flick it off the seam. Seven of his 12 wickets so far in the World Cup have come in the powerplay, including two in two balls against PNG on Tuesday, more than any other bowler in the first six overs, en route to a seven-wicket win that sealed Afghanistan’s passage into the second round.
These two wickets highlighted his skill and ability to work the ball both ways: both were bowled at a good length in the off-stump channel but the first curved back a little to strike the shoulder of Rega Siaka’s bat, while the second was hit by an inside edge off the left-handed Cece Bhau, and on both occasions Rahmanullah Gurbaz took a superb diving catch behind the stumps.
“For me, my mindset is simple,” Farooqui told reporters at Talruba. “When I was playing for Under-19 and Under-16, I always thought: ‘I’m not a big guy. I’m not a big, tall guy who bowls really fast. Back then, I was just thinking about honing my technique to do something different from other players… I was trying to learn the bowling swing and now for me it’s simple.”
Farooqui has not played a game for Sunrisers Hyderabad this season and when he found himself spending his time serving drinks in the IPL, he immediately set his sights on the World Cup. “Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to play in the IPL but I was trying to hone my skills so that I can perform better for Afghanistan,” he said. “I am trying to give my all and utilise my skills.”
He has worked closely with Afghanistan bowling coach Hamid Hassan but also has a long-standing relationship with Bravo, who is serving as bowling consultant for this World Cup. They played several seasons of franchise cricket together in the UAE for both Delhi Bulls (Abu Dhabi T10) and MI Emirates (ILT20) and Farooqui has regularly consulted Bravo.
He said Bravo’s influence on Afghanistan’s seamers will be evident when they bowl at death in pressure situations: “DJ Bravo, I have been with him for the last four years. I have always played in the same team… He just wants to give us tips on how to bowl at death, how to bowl in important situations. He is a mentor to everyone.”
“He’s an old-ball bowler for the death. But whatever I do with the new ball, that’s my skill. He supports me. He says, ‘well done’ and that’s the most important thing. If you get support from a senior player… he tells me [tips]Especially at the death, how should you bowl in pressure times, how should you use the slower ball, how should you use the longer ball?”
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan was particularly complimentary of Farooqui, comparing his impact with the ball to Gurbaz’s with the bat. “It’s very important to have a player like him. In the batting line-up we have a top-order batsman like Gurbaz who can hit hard from the first ball,” Rashid said. “And the same goes for the bowlers.”
“He told me [tips]Especially at the death, how should you bowl in pressure times, how should you use the slower ball, how should you use the longer ball?”Farooqui’s exchange with Dwayne Bravo
“When you have a guy like Fazal coming in and attacking every ball, it gives you a strong foundation as a bowling team and then if you can get a couple of wickets in the middle overs as well, it helps… we are lucky to have him in the team.” [because he] We can get off to a great start with the new ball and it will make the job of the midfielders a little easier.”
Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott believes Farooqi still has a lot of potential. “He’s a really good player,” Trott said. “If he gets his line and uses his pace and swing well, I think he’s very dangerous. I think he can bowl better because he’s got the talent. I think he can bowl better. He’s got that much talent.”
Afghanistan face the West Indies in St Lucia on Monday before moving into a Super Eight group that also includes India and Australia. It’s a tough task but Farooqui said their win over New Zealand in Guyana last week and then in last year’s 50-over World Cup means they believe they can beat anyone.
“Earlier, we felt a bit of pressure,” he said. “We thought we wouldn’t win matches against full-member teams or the biggest national teams. But when we won matches in the 2023 ODI World Cup, we got our confidence back. Now everyone believes in our skills… It’s our first time competing in the Super Eights and it’s very exciting. Back home, everyone is happy and proud of us.”
Matt Roller is Assistant Editor at ESPNcricinfo. @mroller98