Noor Ahmad

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Lore & Background

Noor Ahmad's journey to the Gujarat Titans began in the auction for the 2022 Indian Premier League tournament, where the franchise secured his services. At the time, he was already making waves in domestic cricket, having made his first-class debut for Kabul Region in April 2019 at age 14, and his Twenty20 debut for Mis Ainak Knights in October 2019. His international career was just beginning, with his T20I debut for Afghanistan coming in June 2022 against Zimbabwe. Before joining GT, Noor had already gained experience in multiple T20 leagues worldwide. He was signed by the Melbourne Renegades for the 2020–21 Big Bash League at age 15, served as a net bowler for Chennai Super Kings in the 2021 IPL, and played for Karachi Kings in the 2021 Pakistan Super League. He also played for Quetta Gladiators in the 2022 PSL, making his debut for them on 12 February 2022 against Islamabad United at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. His unique bowling style — left-arm wrist spin, also known as chinaman — set him apart from conventional spinners. This variation, combined with his experience across formats and leagues, made him a valuable addition to the Titans' roster as they looked to strengthen their spin department.

In Their Own Story

The auction room buzzed with anticipation in February 2022 as franchises prepared their final bids. Noor Ahmad, still only 17 years old, watched from afar as the Gujarat Titans secured his services for the upcoming IPL season. Just days earlier, on 12 February, he had made his debut for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League, taking the field against Islamabad United at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. The young Afghan spinner had already packed years of experience into his teenage career — from playing in the 2020 Caribbean Premier League for St Lucia Zouks to being signed by the Melbourne Renegades for the Big Bash League at just 15. His international debut followed soon after, with his first T20I cap coming on 14 June 2022 against Zimbabwe. Later that year, on 30 November 2022, he made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka. The following year, on 23 October 2023, he made his ODI World Cup debut against Pakistan in Chennai, becoming the youngest debutant in the tournament at age 18. In May 2024, he was named in Afghanistan's squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Reader's Guide

Noor Ahmad brings a distinctive left-arm wrist-spin bowling style to Gujarat Titans, a variation often referred to as chinaman bowling. His journey to the IPL began when he was bought by Gujarat Titans in the auction for the 2022 Indian Premier League tournament. Before joining GT, he had already accumulated significant T20 experience across multiple leagues worldwide. His professional career started early: he made his first-class debut on 29 April 2019 for Kabul Region in the Ahmad Shah Abdali 4-day Tournament, followed by his Twenty20 debut on 8 October 2019 for Mis Ainak Knights in the Shpageeza Cricket League. He was named in Afghanistan's squad for the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in December 2019. In July 2020, he joined St Lucia Zouks for the Caribbean Premier League, and made his List A debut on 14 October 2020 for Mis Ainak Region. At age 15, he was signed by Melbourne Renegades for the 2020–21 Big Bash League. In March 2021, Chennai Super Kings included him as a net bowler for the 2021 IPL. He played for Karachi Kings in the 2021 Pakistan Super League in June 2021. In December 2021, he was named in Afghanistan's team for the 2022 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup and was signed by Quetta Gladiators for the 2022 PSL, making his debut for them on 12 February 2022 against Islamabad United.

Did You Know?

• Noor Ahmad made his first-class debut on 29 April 2019 for Kabul Region at just 14 years old.
• He was signed by the Melbourne Renegades for the 2020–21 Big Bash League at the age of 15.
• He made his ODI World Cup debut on 23 October 2023 against Pakistan in Chennai, becoming the youngest debutant in the tournament at age 18.
• He finished as Chennai Super Kings's highest wicket-taker in the 2025 IPL season with 24 wickets, the second highest in the tournament.
• He served as a net bowler for Chennai Super Kings in the 2021 Indian Premier League before being bought by Gujarat Titans in the 2022 auction.