IND vs AFG: Who is Mohammad Saleem Safi? Afghanistan Pacer Claims Six-Wicket Haul Against India in Mullanpur Test
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IND vs AFG, One-off Test, Day 2: Mohammad Saleem Safi has emerged as a silver lining for Afghanistan amid their toiling over the first two days of the one-off Test against Team India in the scorching heat in Mullanpur. Playing only his second Test, Safi took a six-wicket haul and bowled in full tilt and brought the fire on what was a docile surface to roll the arms. Hence, it’s certainly worth exploring Safi’s cricketing journey.
IND vs AFG, One-off Test, Day 2: Who is Mohammad Saleem Safi?
Born in the city of Baghlan in Northern Afghanistan, Saleem Safi made his Test debut against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo in February 2024. However, the youngster endured a forgettable outing as he bowled only 12.1 overs conceding 57 runs before being ruled out midway through the game due to a strained left hamstring. Nevertheless, his fitness level seems to have vastly improved, evidenced by bowling indefatigably in some unforgiving conditions and on a largely unresponsive surface.
Saleem Safi made his Test debut on February 25, 2019 for Kunduz province 2018–19 Mirwais Nika Provincial 3-Day trophy. The same year in September saw him make his first List A appearance for Amo Region at the 2019 Ghazi Amanullah Khan Regional One Day Tournament. It was in February 2021 that the youngster got his first call-up to the national team’s squad but it wasn’t July 2023 that he made his international debut. Having played three white-ball internationals so far, Saleem Safi is yet to take a wicket but his Test career looks promising.
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IND vs AFG, One-off Test, Day 2: Who all did Mohammed Saleem Safi dismiss to achieve his six-wicket haul?
The 23-year-old started by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal for 24, followed by B Sai Sudharsan for 81 on Day 1. Shubman Gill, the Indian captain, became his third victim of the day for as he nicked to the keeper for 126. Dhruv Jurel’s wicket was arguably the best of the lot as the ball jagged back sharply to hit the stumps as the keeper-batter looked to leave the ball. Manav Suthar became his fifth victim, while Mohammed Siraj was his sixth as Saleem Safi snaffled figures of 27-3-140-6.
With Team India declaring at 564-8, the tourists have a mammoth task ahead of them.
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