Saleem Safi’s Six-Wicket Masterclass: The Afghan Pacer Who Rattled India’s Deep Lineup
In a Test match dominated by India’s batting brilliance, one young Afghan cricketer refused to be just a footnote. Mohammad Saleem Safi, a 23-year-old fast bowler from the city of Baghlan in Northern Afghanistan, grabbed headlines across the cricket world by becoming the first Afghanistan bowler to claim a five-wicket haul against India in Test cricket, and then went one better by finishing with a stunning six-wicket haul.
A Name Cricket Will Not Forget in a Hurry
Before this match, most cricket fans outside Afghanistan would have struggled to identify Saleem Safi. That changes today. Playing only his second Test match in his career, Safi bowled with fire, intensity, and technical precision that belied his inexperience at this level. On a flat pitch that offered minimal assistance, he generated pace and found movement that left India’s experienced middle order in genuine trouble on multiple occasions.
His figures of 6 for 140 from 27 overs may look expensive on paper given the size of India’s total, but that number does not tell the complete story. He dismissed some of the finest batters in the world today, including Shubman Gill, who was caught behind for 126, and Sai Sudharsan, who had looked completely set for a bigger score.
The Full Story of a Remarkable Spell
Safi opened his account on Day 1 by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal for 24, a wicket that showed he was not afraid to take on India’s dashing opener with short-pitched aggression. He then removed Sai Sudharsan for 81, a wicket that earned him significant praise as the Tamil Nadu batter had looked completely settled.
On Day 2, Safi picked up where he left off. His dismissal of Shubman Gill for 126, catching the edge of an expansive drive, was arguably the most important wicket of the innings. He followed that with the wicket of Dhruv Jurel, a delivery that jagged back sharply off the pitch to hit the stumps as Jurel attempted to leave the ball alone. It was the kind of delivery that would draw applause on any cricket ground in the world.
Manav Suthar became his fifth victim to give Safi his maiden five-for in Test cricket, prompting emotional scenes as he dropped to the ground and touched his forehead to the turf in prayer. His sixth wicket, Mohammed Siraj caught off a reverse-swinging delivery, completed a spectacular performance.
From Baghlan to Breaking Records
Safi was born on September 9, 2002, in Kabul, though he hails from Baghlan province. His cricketing journey began through the domestic circuit, where he made his first-class debut in 2019. He was included in Afghanistan’s national squad as early as 2021, a reward for consistent domestic performances, but had to wait several more years for consistent international opportunities.
His ODI debut came against Bangladesh in July 2023, and he made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in February 2024. That debut was tough, as he was ruled out midway through the match with a strained left hamstring after bowling just 12.1 overs. Today’s performance, therefore, represents a massive personal redemption story as much as a career-defining moment.
What This Means for Afghan Cricket
Afghanistan cricket has often been celebrated for its spin attack led by Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. However, developing a genuine fast bowling threat has long been one of their biggest challenges. Safi’s performance in Mullanpur gives Afghanistan cricket fans something to truly cherish and something for the national team’s management to build on.
With Rashid Khan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz both rested for this Test, Afghanistan were genuinely short of their biggest names, which makes Safi’s performance even more remarkable. He stepped into the spotlight and shone brightly.
A Standing Ovation in Defeat
Afghanistan face a mammoth task with India’s total at 564/8 declared. The visitors are likely to be on the losing end of this Test. But Safi’s six-wicket haul ensures that Afghanistan leave Mullanpur with their heads held high. In international cricket, individual brilliance can shine even in the shadow of a massive scoreboard, and Saleem Safi proved exactly that today.
Written by 8JJ.com | June 07, 2026
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