Antum Naqvi Biography: Birthday, Career, Stats and Records

Antum Naqvi is a Zimbabwean right‑arm off‑spinner and right‑hand batter who debuted in Test cricket in 2026.

Antum Amir Naqvi is a Zimbabwean cricketer who bats right‑handed and bowls right‑arm off‑spin. He was born on 5 April 1999 in Brussels, Belgium, and moved to Sydney, Australia, at the age of four, where he attended The Hills Sports High School. After developing his game in Australia, he shifted his focus to Zimbabwe, joining the Mid West Rhinos in domestic cricket.

Naqvi made an immediate impact in first‑class cricket, scoring 140 not out and taking 4 for 22 on debut in January 2023, and later becoming the first player to record a triple‑century in Zimbabwe’s domestic history with an unbeaten 300 off 295 balls in 2024. He earned his Test cap in November 2026 against Afghanistan, contributing 70 runs in his debut match.

Antum Naqvi: quick facts

Born: 5 April 1999
Team: Zimbabwe

Antum Naqvi’s early life

Antum Amir Naqvi was born on 5 April 1999 in Brussels, Belgium, to Belgian parents whose families had migrated from Pakistan and India. When he was four years old his family relocated to Sydney, Australia, where he attended The Hills Sports High School and began playing cricket at a competitive level. He quickly showed aptitude for both batting and bowling, laying the foundations for his later all‑round abilities.

Beyond sport, Naqvi pursued a career in aviation and qualified as a commercial pilot, a rare combination among professional cricketers. His younger brother Awad Naqvi has also played first‑class cricket in Zimbabwe, representing teams such as Matabeleland Tuskers and Mid West Rhinos. The brothers share a strong cricketing pedigree and have both contributed significantly to the Rhinos' recent successes in domestic competitions.

Antum Naqvi’s domestic career

While residing in Darwin, Australia, Naqvi was encouraged by former Zimbabwe international Solomon Mire to try his luck in Zimbabwe. He made his first‑class debut for Mid West Rhinos in the Logan Cup in January 2023 against the Eagles, scoring 140 not out from the number six position. In the same match he claimed 4 for 22 in the first innings, added another wicket and took three catches in the second innings, helping Rhinos to an innings victory.

In his second first‑class outing a few days later Naqvi recorded 103, becoming the 21st player in first‑class history to score centuries in his first two innings. He finished the Logan Cup season with a third century and a five‑wicket haul in the final match. Naqvi’s List A debut came in October 2023; two days after his first game he took 3 for 56 and smashed 128 not out off 93 balls, forming an unbroken 202‑run partnership with Tarisai Musakanda to seal victory for the Rhinos. He has since added several more List A centuries.

In January 2024 Naqvi captained the Rhinos in a Logan Cup clash with Matabeleland Tuskers, amassing an unbeaten 300 not out off 295 deliveries before declaring at 538 for 3, the first triple‑century recorded in Zimbabwean domestic cricket. The innings propelled Rhinos to an innings win by 40 runs. He later led the side to the Zimbabwe Domestic Twenty20 championship in March 2025, scoring a rapid 50 off 32 balls and claiming 2 for 19 in the final, securing the title after an unbeaten round‑robin campaign.

Antum Naqvi’s international career

Naqvi received his first senior national call‑up in July 2024 when he was named in Zimbabwe’s squad for the T20I series against India, although he did not feature in any of the matches. The experience gave him exposure to the international setup and prepared him for future opportunities. He continued to perform strongly in domestic competitions during this period, maintaining his form.

In April 2025 Naqvi posted his highest List A score, making 158 off 110 deliveries for Zimbabwe A against Scotland. Later that year, in October 2025, he was included in the Test squad for the match against Afghanistan but did not make the final playing XI. His long‑awaited full international debut finally arrived in November 2026 when he was selected for the Test against Afghanistan in Sharjah.

In his debut Test Naqvi scored a total of 70 runs across two innings, with a top score of 61, and bowled without taking a wicket. The innings demonstrated his ability to contribute with the bat at the highest level, while his off‑spin remained unused in the match. He will look to add to his run tally in future fixtures.

Antum Naqvi’s records and achievements

Naqvi boasts a first‑class batting average of 60, as highlighted in November 2026 coverage. He became the 21st cricketer to record centuries in his first two first‑class innings, and his 300 not out off 295 deliveries in January 2024 marked the first triple‑century in the history of Zimbabwean domestic cricket. The innings, made while captaining Mid West Rhinos, propelled the team to a massive total of 538 for 3 and secured an innings victory by 40 runs.

In List A cricket Naqvi has recorded several centuries, including a rapid 128 not out off 93 balls in October 2023, part of a 202‑run unbeaten partnership, and a 158 off 110 against Scotland for Zimbabwe A in April 2025. His all‑round capabilities are evident from his debut season, where he claimed 4 for 22 and later a five‑wicket haul, and from the T20 final in March 2025 where he took 2 for 19 alongside a quick 50 off 32 balls.

Antum Naqvi’s personal life

Outside cricket, Naqvi is a qualified commercial pilot, balancing a demanding aviation career with his commitments on the field. His training and professional responsibilities have earned him recognition as one of the few international cricketers to hold such a qualification. He continues to maintain his pilot licence alongside his cricketing schedule, demonstrating a strong work ethic and diverse skill set.

Naqvi’s heritage reflects a blend of cultures; his parents are Belgian with ancestral roots in Pakistan and India. His younger brother Awad Naqvi has followed a similar path in cricket, representing Matabeleland Tuskers and Mid West Rhinos in Zimbabwe’s first‑class circuit. The brothers have both contributed significantly to the Rhinos’ recent successes, with Awad providing valuable performances as an all‑rounder.