Zahir Shehzad

Zahir Shehzad is a standout left-arm spinner from Afghanistan, currently playing professionally for Pamir Legends, where he shares the field with several international stars.

He burst onto the domestic scene in 2017, making an immediate impact by finishing as the joint leading wicket-taker in the Ahmad Shah Abdali 4-Day Tournament with 55 wickets at 26.63. Notably, he shared this top spot with fellow CricX star Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, who would go on to dominate UK league cricket in 2021 with a staggering 85 wickets at 6.67 for Lytham.

Shehzad’s momentum continued into early 2018, but an elbow injury cut short his season after just seven matches. After a year-long recovery, he returned in 2019, claiming another first-class five-wicket haul against Mis Ainak Region. However, just as he was regaining form, COVID struck, bringing Afghanistan’s domestic red-ball cricket to a halt for two years.

He resumed in 2021/22 with a modest return, but truly found his rhythm again in 2024/25, taking 13 wickets at just 16 apiece, including best figures of 6-45. Now, across 30 first-class matches, Shehzad has 115 wickets at 30.71—a testament to his resilience and skill.

In 2022, following Zia’s UK success, Shehzad joined Ormskirk in the Liverpool and District Cricket Competition and was an instant sensation. He bagged a phenomenal 109 wickets at 15.17, including 9 five-wicket hauls. While those standout spells grabbed headlines, perhaps his most remarkable performance was an astonishing 3 for 2 from 9.1 overs against powerhouse side Formby.

Having made a serious impression in the ECB Premier League, Shehzad is now set on a return to the UK for the 2026 season—bringing with him a proven record, international-level pedigree, and match-winning ability.