Shahbaz Ahmed

International career

Shahbaz Ahmed's path to international cricket is a story of persistence and growth. Born in Mewat, Haryana, a region known for its struggles, he started his cricket career as a batter. However, after moving to Kolkata in 2015 to play in club cricket, he switched to left-arm spin and became an all-rounder. His performances in domestic cricket caught the eye of selectors, and he was selected for Bengal in the 2018-19 season. Though his early days in the domestic circuit were challenging, he bounced back strongly, scored 509 runs, took 35 wickets, and helped Bengal reach the Ranji Trophy final.

Shahbaz’s rise in domestic cricket led to his inclusion in India’s national team. Here’s a look at his international career:

• October 9, 2022: Shahbaz made his ODI debut against South Africa in Ranchi. India had many key players missing from the squad, and Shahbaz got a chance in the second ODI. He received his debut cap from Shikhar Dhawan, one of India’s all-time greats. This moment marked the start of his international career. He played a few games in the series and impressed many with his all-round abilities.
• August 2022: Before his debut, Shahbaz was selected for India’s ODI team for their tour to Zimbabwe. He replaced the injured Washington Sundar in the squad. This tour marked his first opportunity to represent India in international cricket outside of India.
• October 6, 2023: Shahbaz made his T20I debut against Bangladesh at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where India won a gold medal. His selection for the event was a significant moment, and he was part of the victorious team. The match against Bangladesh marked his first appearance in a T20I.
• October 7, 2023: Shahbaz played his second T20I match the next day against Afghanistan. Although he didn’t have a long run in the format, this match gave him valuable international experience.

Shahbaz has played 3 ODIs and 2 T20Is so far. His journey is just beginning, and he has the potential to play a bigger role in Indian cricket in the coming years. His consistent domestic performances and all-round skills make him a promising talent for India.

Indian Premier League

Shahbaz Ahmed has had an eventful journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has played for several teams and has shown his all-round skills. Here is a look at his IPL career so far:

Domestic career

Shahbaz Ahmed was born in Haryana but plays domestic cricket for Bengal. He started his List-A career on September 20, 2018, against Jammu and Kashmir in Chennai, where he took 1 wicket for 22 runs. His first-class debut came against Hyderabad, where he scored 27 runs and took 1 wicket. Shahbaz's T20 debut was on February 24, 2019, against Haryana in Cuttack. He took 1 wicket, scored 17 runs off 12 balls, and helped his team win by three wickets.

In his first-class career, Shahbaz has played 13 matches, scored 559 runs, and taken 37 wickets at an economy rate of 2.60. In List-A cricket, he has 435 runs from 16 innings with an average of 39.54. He has also taken 18 wickets, with his best figures being 3/35. In T20s, Shahbaz has taken 21 wickets in 23 innings at an economy rate of 6.84. His batting strike rate in T20s is 119.20, and he has scored one half-century.

Records and achievements

Shahbaz Ahmed has had a strong career with several key awards and records to his name.

Awards:

• In 2022, he won a gold medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, playing for India.
• In January 2021, he took a hat-trick in the Ranji Trophy during a match against Hyderabad.

Records:

• First-Class Cricket: Shahbaz played 13 matches, scored 559 runs, including four half-centuries, and took 37 wickets with an economy rate of 2.60.
• List-A Cricket: He scored 435 runs in 16 innings with an average of 39.54. He also took 18 wickets, with a best of 3/35.
• T20 Cricket: In 23 innings, he took 21 wickets with an economy rate of 6.84 and scored one half-century.
• IPL: Shahbaz scored 279 runs in 29 matches with an average of 18.60 and a strike rate of 118.72. He also took 13 wickets with an average of 36.31 and an economy rate of 8.58.

Shahbaz's hat-trick in the Ranji Trophy against Hyderabad in January 2021 remains one of his key achievements.

Personal life

Shahbaz Ahmed, born on December 11, 1994, in Nuh, Haryana, is a rising cricketer with a story of determination and hard work. He is the son of Ahmed Jan, a clerk, and Abnam Ahmed, a homemaker. Shahbaz excelled in academics, scoring 80% in Class 10 and 88% in Class 12. Despite his success in school, he decided to leave his engineering studies and pursue cricket. With his parents' support, he moved to Kolkata to follow his dream. Over the years, Shahbaz worked hard and earned recognition for his cricket skills, playing a crucial role in Bengal’s success in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy.