The 16-year-old Hamidullah Qadri, the Afghanistan-born spinner, took Derbyshire County Cricket Club to victory since 2015. Off-spinner Qadri who arrived in the UK with his parents aged 11 in 2011, is the youngest championship cricketer in Derbyshire’s history. His 5-60 on debut took Derbyshire to victory over Glamorgan in Cardiff by 39 runs.
“It was an honour to lead the team off,” said Qadri. “Especially as it was my debut and it was our first win in almost two years.” Qadri left Afghanistan unable to speak English and having never played cricket before, but over the past six year has become rather good at both. He was spotted by coaches after taking the game up at school and has been through the Derbyshire age groups, playing league cricket for Alvaston and Boulton.
