Hazratullah Zazai, the left-handed batter from Afghanistan, is mourning the devastating loss of his daughter. His close friend and national teammate, Karim Janat, shared the tragic news on social media, expressing deep sympathy and extending condolences to Zazai and his family. The Afghanistan cricket community has shown immense support, offering messages of comfort as Hazratullah and his family navigate through this difficult time.
Janat wrote, “I am deeply saddened to share with you all that my close friend like brother, Hazratullah Zazai, has lost his daughter. My heart aches with sorrow for him and his family during this incredibly difficult time. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate through this tragic loss. My deepest condolences go out to Hazratullah Zazai and his family.”
Zazai was not part of the Afghan squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy. He made his international debut in 2016, playing an ODI against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and has since represented Afghanistan in 16 ODIs and 45 T20Is.
The 26-year-old is famous for holding the second-highest individual score in T20Is, having made an impressive 162 runs off 62 balls against Ireland at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun. His knock featured 11 fours and 11 sixes.
Zazai has not played for Afghanistan this year, with his last appearance for the national team coming in the T20I series against Zimbabwe in December 2024. In his career spanning 16 ODIs and 45 T20Is, he has accumulated 361 and 1160 runs, including one century and five half-centuries.
During the 2018 Afghanistan Premier League, Zazai showcased his explosive batting, hitting multiple sixes in an over-off left-arm spinner Abdullah Mazari. Playing for Kabul Zwanan against Balkh Legends at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, he scored a remarkable 62 runs off just 17 balls, boasting an incredible strike rate of 364.70.