Mujeeb shows mettle on debut
MOHALI: On the eve of their opening tie, Kings XI Punjab captain R Ashwin and mentor Virender Sehwag were seen spending time with the 17-year-old Afghanistan import Mujeeb-ur-rahman in the nets here. Despite the fact that Mujeeb, who has been termed a ‘mystery spinner’, doesn’t understand and speak Hindi and English well, it seems captain Ashwin was able to make him understand a few tricks of the trade.
Mujeeb became the youngest to play the league and impressed on his IPL debut taking two wickets, giving away 28 runs in four overs with nine dot balls. The offspinner also contributed through his fielding when he got a well- settled Delhi Daredevils captain Gautam Gambhir run out through a direct throw from fineleg. Had Gambhir not got out, Delhi Daredevils would have set a stiffer target for Kings XI Punjab. Bowling in his first over, Mujeeb, who hails from Khost in Afghanistan, trapped Delhi Daredevils opener Colin Munro leg before for 4. His second wicket was Rishabh Pant who had already hit a 13-ball 33.
Speaking ahead of the KXIP-DD contest, Sehwag had praised Mujeeb and said, “He is a fine young spinner and will definitely make a mark in IPL. When Sri Lanka’s Ajanta Mendis and West Indian Surine Narine had arrived on the scene they were seen as mystery spinners and made an impact. He doesn’t understand Hindi and English that well, but we will find a way or two to create rapport with him. The tournament is quite long and he has time to adjust.” Mujeeb, who was bought by Kings XI Punjab for ~4 crore, enthralled the handful of Afghan spectators sitting in the stands and was cheered when he was on the field.
He had helped Afghanistan win the World Cup qualifiers recently, scalping 16 wickets.