Full Name: Noor Ahmad Lakanwal
Nickname: Noor
Date of Birth: January 3, 2005
Age: 20 years (as of 2025)
Place of Birth: Herat, Afghanistan
Nationality: Afghan
Religion: Islam
Profession: Professional Cricketer
Batting Style: Left-handed
Bowling Style: Left-arm unorthodox spin (Chinaman)
Role in Team: Spin Bowler
Net Worth: Estimated ₹7–9 crore INR (approx. $850k–1.1 million USD)
Early Life and Background
Noor Ahmad was born in the Afghan city of Herat in the west on January 3, 2005. Noor, who comes from a low-income background, was motivated by the rise of Afghan cricket, especially by young spinners like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Playing in the streets and local fields of Herat as a kid sparked his interest in spin bowling. Local instructors were drawn to Noor’s innate talent to spin the ball and trick hitters despite the lack of equipment and infrastructure. His family supported his cricketing passion wholeheartedly, which eventually led to opportunities at youth levels.
Noor was already well-known at the Under-19 level by his mid-teens, and teams all over the world were taking notice of him thanks to his reliable performances.
Domestic Career
One of the youngest players to ever compete in the Ahmad Shah Abdali 4-day Tournament, Noor Ahmad made his first-class debut for Kabul Region in 2019 at the age of 14. Strong performances in Afghanistan’s local T20 events soon followed.
Even for experienced players, he was a challenging spinner to read because of his trickery, rapid arm speed, and ability to turn the ball both ways. He also participated in Afghanistan’s premier local T20 league, the Shpageeza Cricket League, where he made an impression with his economy and ability to take wickets.
IPL scouts and international leagues took notice of his impressive exploits in Afghanistan’s youth and senior local teams.
IPL Career
Noor Ahmad became one of the league’s youngest foreign players when he was signed by the Gujarat Titans in the 2022 IPL Auction. He made his debut during the 2023 Indian Premier League, when he and Rashid Khan were a vital part of Gujarat’s spin-heavy bowling attack.
With 16 wickets in 13 games during the 2023 Indian Premier League, Noor shown maturity, control, and variation well above his years. His ability to break partnerships and bowl in the middle overs provided GT a tactical advantage.
In the IPL 2024, he maintained his stellar play, solidifying his standing as one of the world’s most talented young spin bowlers. He is a consistent starter for the team because of his ability to bowl tight stints and maintain composure under duress.
International Career
On June 14, 2022, Noor Ahmad played his first Twenty20 International match for Afghanistan against Zimbabwe. Since then, he has been a regular part of Afghanistan’s white-ball squads. His IPL confidence has been mirrored in his performances in international T20s, where he frequently uses spin and subtle variations to trouble top-order batsman.
He played for Afghanistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup, making contributions with short stints and sporadic breakthroughs. Alongside Rashid and Mujeeb, Noor is anticipated to play a key role in Afghanistan’s spin strategy by 2025 and is viewed as a potential star in the bowling unit.
With experience from global leagues and a solid domestic foundation, he is building a long-term international career.
Playing Style
Noor Ahmad is an unconventional left-arm spinner who blends classic “chinaman” technique with contemporary T20 flare. He tricks hitters with a fast arm motion, slick deliveries, and ingenious flight changes.
He excels in T20 contests, especially in the middle overs, when he slows down scoring and takes wickets. Though predominantly a spinner, Noor may also be a helpful lower-order batsman capable of playing a few fast runs when needed.
He is one of the most fascinating young spinners in international cricket right now because of his command of length, ability to change speed, and awareness of game conditions.
Personal Life
Noor Ahmad was raised in Herat in a modest, close-knit household. He maintains a strong connection to his Afghan culture and traditions in spite of his rising stardom. His family has been instrumental in his endeavour, providing both financial and emotional support in his early years.
Noor is said to be calm, courteous and totally focused on improving as a cricket player off the pitch. On and off the pitch, he frequently cites Rashid Khan as an inspiration and mentor. The two have played together for the Gujarat Titans and Afghanistan and have a close bond.
Noor loves to travel, spend time with his family, and watch international cricket with great interest. He stays out of the spotlight and lets his performance do the talking. Noor is now single and devoted on his cricket career.
He frequently urges young people to pursue sports as a career and is extremely enthusiastic about the growth of cricket in Afghanistan. For many ambitious sportsmen in war-torn areas, his story serves as a beacon of hope.
Legacy and Future Prospects
Noor Ahmad is already being heralded as a possible spin icon in Afghan cricket, despite the fact that his career is just getting started. He stands out for his ability to advance at such a young age and perform well under duress in elite leagues.
He embodies a new generation of Afghan cricket players who are technically proficient, resilient, and have international experience. Afghanistan is becoming a dominant force in spin bowling because to Noor’s ascent with Rashid Khan and Mujeeb.
Noor is anticipated to establish himself as a staple in Afghanistan’s T20 and ODI squads in the upcoming years, and he may even consider playing Test cricket. He is positioned as one of the future faces of Afghan and international cricket due to his maturity, drive for growth, and international recognition.
