Fazalhaq Farooqi is one of the most exciting fast bowlers in modern cricket. Known for his deadly left-arm pace and ability to swing the ball both ways, he has quickly become a star for Afghanistan. Despite his young age, he has already played against some of the best batsmen in the world and impressed in both international matches and big franchise leagues.
In 2025, Fazalhaq is a key player for Afghanistan’s cricket team. His rise from a small town in Afghanistan to bowling on the world’s biggest cricket grounds is an inspiring story of talent, determination, and discipline.
Quick Info Table
| Full Name | Fazalhaq Farooqi |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 22 September 2000 |
| Age (2025) | 24 Years |
| Birthplace | Baghlan, Afghanistan |
| Nationality | Afghan |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Role | Bowler |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Left-arm fast-medium |
| Teams Played For | Afghanistan, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Comilla Victorians, Sydney Thunder, various T20 leagues |
| Father | Not publicly shared |
| Mother | Not publicly shared |
| Girlfriend | Not publicly known |
| Debut (ODI) | 25 January 2022 vs Netherlands |
| Debut (T20I) | 20 March 2021 vs Zimbabwe |
| Current Status | Active in International and Franchise Cricket (2025) |
Early Life and Background
Fazalhaq Farooqi was born on 22 September 2000 in Baghlan, Afghanistan. He grew up in a modest family and spent most of his childhood playing cricket in local grounds. Afghanistan was still building its cricket identity when he was a kid, but that didn’t stop him from dreaming big.
Inspired by legendary left-arm fast bowlers like Wasim Akram and Mitchell Starc, young Fazalhaq practiced bowling with a tennis ball before moving to a leather ball. His natural ability to swing the ball and bowl with pace was noticed by local coaches, who guided him towards professional cricket.
By his teenage years, he was already representing his province in domestic tournaments, showing skills far beyond his age. His discipline, long practice hours, and hunger to improve made him one of the most promising young cricketers in Afghanistan.
Physical Appearance – Tall and Athletic
Fazalhaq stands at around 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall and has a strong athletic frame. His height and smooth bowling action allow him to generate bounce and swing, which makes him dangerous on any pitch. His fit body and quick run-up are key parts of his bowling success.
Family – The Silent Strength
Fazalhaq’s family has played a major role in his journey. Even though cricket was not a common career choice in his hometown, his parents supported his dreams. They encouraged him to travel for matches and practice regularly, despite the challenges in Afghanistan’s sporting infrastructure.
He keeps his family life private, and there is little public information about his parents and siblings. However, it is well known that they are proud of his achievements and continue to be his biggest supporters.
Girlfriend and Personal Life
As of 2025, there is no confirmed public information about Fazalhaq Farooqi having a girlfriend. He appears to be focused on his cricket career and avoids discussing his personal relationships in the media. His life outside cricket is kept low-key, and he prefers spending time with family and close friends.
Cricket Career
Early Career
Fazalhaq’s professional journey began in Afghanistan’s domestic cricket. His performances in youth tournaments caught the attention of selectors, and he soon found himself in the national setup. His control, pace, and ability to swing the ball made him stand out among young bowlers.
International Debut
- T20I Debut: 20 March 2021 against Zimbabwe – Fazalhaq bowled with confidence and showed his potential in the shortest format.
- ODI Debut: 25 January 2022 against the Netherlands – He impressed with his accuracy and wicket-taking ability.
He quickly became a regular in Afghanistan’s white-ball squads. His skills with the new ball in the powerplay and his ability to bowl yorkers in the death overs made him an important player for the team.
Franchise Cricket Success
Fazalhaq’s talent caught the eye of franchise scouts around the world.
- He played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), gaining experience against top international players.
- He starred for Comilla Victorians in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), helping his team with crucial wickets.
- He represented Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL) and continued to expand his global experience.
By 2025, he is one of the most in-demand left-arm pacers in T20 cricket worldwide.
Playing Style – A Swinging Threat
Fazalhaq is a left-arm fast-medium bowler who can trouble batsmen with both pace and swing. His strengths include:
- New Ball Swing: Can move the ball both ways in the air.
- Accuracy: Maintains a tight line and length.
- Yorkers and Slower Balls: Effective in the final overs.
- Calm Under Pressure: Keeps his cool in big matches.
His action is smooth and repeatable, which allows him to bowl long spells without losing rhythm.
Career Highlights
- Took key wickets in Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup matches, helping the team challenge big cricket nations.
- Regularly among the top wicket-takers in franchise leagues.
- Known for dismissing world-class batsmen with swinging deliveries early in the innings.
- Played crucial roles in Afghanistan’s victories in Asia Cup matches.
Controversies
Fazalhaq Farooqi has generally kept a clean record in his cricket career. However, in late 2022, there were reports of a contract termination by Sydney Thunder in the BBL due to a personal conduct matter. The details were not fully made public, and Fazalhaq did not speak openly about it. Since then, he has focused on his performances, and the matter has not affected his cricketing form.
Life Outside Cricket
Outside the cricket field, Fazalhaq enjoys spending time with family and training. He is passionate about fitness and regularly shares glimpses of his workouts. He also participates in charity matches and community programs in Afghanistan, inspiring the next generation of cricketers.
Future Goals
At just 24 years old in 2025, Fazalhaq has many years ahead in his career. His main goals are:
- Helping Afghanistan win major ICC tournaments.
- Becoming one of the top-ranked bowlers in international cricket.
- Expanding his presence in top franchise leagues worldwide.
With his skills and dedication, many believe he can achieve these targets in the near future.
