While UAE vs Netherlands game had a thrilling finish during the opening day of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, the young UAE cricketer Aayan Afzal Khan created a new T20 World Cup history as the teenager became the youngest player in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history. He broke the record of the former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Amir.
UAE’s youngest T20I debutant Aayan Afzal Khan was just 16 years and 335 days old when UAE met the Netherlands in the second game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 at Geelong on Sunday (16th October). While it was his third T20I, the teenage cricketer became the youngest cricketer in T20 World Cup history.
Youngest at T20 World Cup: Mohammad Amir was the previous record holder before Aayan Afzal Khan
In the ICC World T20 2009, when Pakistan faced the hosts England in their tournament opener at The Oval, the Pakistan left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir became the youngest to experience a T20 World Cup match at the age of 17 years and 55 days. UAE cricketer Aayan just broke that T20 World Cup record on Sunday.
Top five youngest players in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history
Player (Team) | Age |
Aayan Afzal Khan (UAE) | 16 years and 335 days |
Mohammad Amir (Pakistan) | 17 years and 55 days |
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) | 17 years and 170 days |
Ahmed Shehzad (Pakistan) | 17 years and 196 days |
George Dockrell (Ireland) | 17 years and 282 days |
Aayan played important role on his T20 World Cup debut
Returning to that second game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, UAE chose to bat first at Geelong. While they scored 111/8 in 20 overs, they were close to creating another history of defending the lowest total in the Men’s T20 World Cup history.
Though the Netherlands hugely struggled at chasing, they ultimately kept their nerve in that low-scoring thriller and chased down the target in 19.5 overs after losing seven wickets.
While Aayan scored only five runs in seven balls after coming to bat at the no.8 position, the youngster had the bowling figures of 3-0-15-1. The slow left-arm orthodox bowler dismissed Colin Ackermann (17), who was caught out at the deep square.
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