Bilal Sami

Bilal Sami is a promising Afghan cricket talent who burst onto the domestic cricket scene at a remarkably young age. Born in Kunar Province on December 21, 2003, the right-arm medium pacer made his first-class debut for Afghanistan against Kunduz in March 2019 when he was just 15 years old.

Bilal Sami made his T20 debut for Band-e-Amir Dragons against Kabul Eagles in the 2020 Shpageeza Cricket League. He further showcased his skills in T20 competitions, representing Mis Ainak Knights in the 2022 Shpageeza Cricket League, Band-e-Amir Dragons in the 2024 Qosh Tepa National T20 Cup, and Speenghar Tigers in the 2024 Shpageeza Cricket League.

In 2021, Sami earned a spot in Afghanistan's squad for the 2022 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, where he impressed by taking 4 wickets, including his best figures of 2/33 against Sri Lanka. His performances at the youth level highlighted his potential as one of Afghanistan’s brightest emerging fast-bowling prospects.

Representing Afghanistan A, Sami displayed steady development in domestic cricket, with his performances highlighted by an impressive five-wicket haul. His potential was further underscored during the 2024 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, where he claimed five wickets across four matches. The tournament proved to be a significant milestone in his young career, particularly his match-winning performance in the final, where he secured a crucial three-wicket haul that turned the tide of the game against the in-form Sri Lanka A side.

Sami’s continued growth led to his inclusion in Afghanistan's ODI squad for the series against Ireland in 2024. He was then selected for the ODI squad against South Africa later that year, though he didn’t make his debut. The much-anticipated moment finally arrived on 21st December 2024, when Sami made his One Day International debut on his 21st birthday, taking the field against Zimbabwe and marking a significant milestone in his career.

He has also become a key asset for the Afghanistan A and Mis Ainak Region teams, honing his bowling skills against top opposition. His ability to bowl sharp bouncers and execute accurate yorkers in the death overs has given his captains a fresh and reliable bowling option during tough match situations.