Shahbaz Ahmed is an Indian cricketer born in Haryana, known for his all-round abilities. He has played for various teams including India, India A, Bengal, East Zone, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Shahbaz made his international debut for India in an ODI game against South Africa in 2022, where he showcased his skills with both bat and ball.
Early Life and Journey:
Shahbaz Ahmed was born on December 11, 1994, in Mewat, Haryana. He is currently 28 years old and has established himself as a valuable all-rounder in Indian cricket. Shahbaz is a left-handed batsman and a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, with a versatile playing style that has earned him a place in various teams at both domestic and international levels.
On September 20, 2018, Shahbaz made his debut in List A cricket for Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against the Jammu and Kashmir team in Chennai. He managed to secure figures of 1/22 in his debut match. During his first-class cap against Hyderabad, he was able to score 27 runs and take one wicket. Shahbaz’s T20 debut for Bengal was in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on February 24, 2019, against Haryana at Cuttack. He picked up one wicket and contributed a crucial 12-ball 17 in the lower order, which ultimately helped Bengal win the match by three wickets.
Shahbaz has played 13 first-class matches and has scored 559 runs, including four half-centuries. He has also taken 37 first-class wickets at an economy rate of 2.60. In List-A cricket, he has an average of 39.54, having scored 435 runs in 16 innings. He has also taken 18 List-A wickets, with his best figures being 3/35. In T20 cricket, Shahbaz has taken 21 wickets in 23 innings, with an economy rate of 6.84. He has also scored one fifty.
In January 2021, Shahbaz achieved a Ranji Trophy hat-trick against Hyderabad, becoming the seventh player from Bengal and the first since India pacer Mohammed Shami to do so. Additionally, he was selected in India A’s squad for the 2019–20 Deodhar Trophy in October 2019.
Prior to the 2020 Indian Premier League, he was acquired by the Royal Challengers Bangalore during the IPL auction of that year. During the 33rd match of the 2020 Indian Premier League, he made his debut for the tournament against the Rajasthan Royals but remained wicketless, conceding 18 runs. In the following games he played, he claimed a couple of wickets each with an economy rate of 7.33.
His standout performance came in the sixth match of the 2021 Indian Premier League, where he took three wickets in a single over against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, contributing to his team’s victory. His impressive displays earned him acclaim from certain critics.Later in the tournament, during the second phase, he took a brace for 10 runs against Rajasthan.
During the auction for the 2022 Indian Premier League tournament, he was once again purchased by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in February 2022.
Shahbaz was selected as a replacement for the injured Washington Sundar in India’s ODI squad for their tour of Zimbabwe in August 2022. Later, in October 2022, he was included in the Indian ODI squad for their series against South Africa. On 9th October 2022, Shahbaz made his ODI debut against South Africa.
Cricket & Stats:
Shahbaz has played in various formats of the game, including ODIs, FC, List A, and T20s. His batting statistics reveal that he has played in three ODIs, but has not scored any runs yet. In FC cricket, he has played 27 matches and scored 1538 runs at an average of 43.94, including a high score of 116. He has also scored one century and 11 half-centuries in this format. In List A cricket, he has played 36 matches and scored 791 runs at an average of 43.94, with two centuries and four half-centuries to his name. In T20s, he has played 62 matches and scored 719 runs at an average of 24.79.
In ODI format, he has played three matches and taken three wickets at an average of 41.66 runs per wicket with an economy rate of 4.80 runs per over. In FC format, the player has played 27 matches, taken 82 wickets with the best bowling figures of 7/57, and an average of 21.79 runs per wicket. The Haryana-born has also taken 3 four-wicket hauls and 4 five-wicket hauls, including a 10-wicket haul. In List A format, Shahbaz has played 36 matches, taken 38 wickets with the best bowling figures of 4/58, and an average of 35.44 runs per wicket. In T20 format, the player has played 62 matches, taken 46 wickets with the best bowling figures of 3/7, and an average of 26.00 runs per wicket.
Achievements:
He was picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the auction for IPL 2020. s
He played a brilliant knock of 61 not out against Rajasthan in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy, to hand Bengal a 2-wicket win.
He is the first player from Mewat to bag an IPL contract.
Bio Data:
Shahbaz Ahmed
Profession: Indian Cricketer
Height (approx.): N/A
Hair Colour: Black
Date of Birth: 11-December 1994
Age: 28
Birth Place: Haryana
Zodiac sign/Sun sign: Saggitarius
Nationality: Indian
