Najibullah Zadran grabbed the headlines during the Zim Afro T10 2024 match between NYS Lagos and Durban Wolves on Tuesday, September 24, after an explosive performance that saw his team collect an astonishing 33 runs in a single over. The game, held at Harare Sports Club, turned in favor of NYS Lagos during the 6th over when Afghan power-hitter Zadran launched a blistering assault on bowler Donald Tiripano.
Zadran, who went on to score a rapid 43 off just 17 balls, began the over with a bang, smashing three consecutive sixes. He continued his carnage by scoring a couple on the next delivery, followed by another massive six. Under pressure, Tiripano bowled three consecutive wides, only to concede a boundary on the last ball of the over. By the end of the 6th over, NYS Lagos had completely shifted the momentum of the match, thanks to Zadran’s heroics.
Reflecting on his game-changing knock, Zadran revealed that he had already set his mind to go after Tiripano in that over. “I had only scored 6 runs off seven balls before that over, so I told (Ryan) Burl that I was going to push the paddle,” Zadran explained. “I’ve faced Tiripano before, so I had a fair idea of his variations. My plan was simple—watch the ball and hit it.”
Despite getting dismissed before the third powerplay, Zadran expressed satisfaction with his contribution, especially since NYS Lagos went on to win the match. "It’s always disappointing to get out early, but I’m really happy with the win," he said.
The Afghan batter, whose blistering knock included five sixes and a four, also spoke about the challenging playing conditions. “The wicket was a bit slow, but we made the most of it. It turned out to be a good day for us.”
Zadran’s extraordinary over not only turned the tide in NYS Lagos’ favor but also became one of the standout moments of the Zim Afro T10 tournament, highlighting his ability to shift gears and dominate bowlers when his team needed it most.
