Noor Ahmad plays T20 cricket at a pace that feels almost out of place, as if he’s in pursuit rather than simply bowling. His run-up is relentless, charging in as if he’s about to intercept a thief mid-act.
His raw speed sets him apart, a trait that has defined his journey from the start. At just 13, he attended an open selection trial in Kabul, where he stood out among 125 hopefuls, making the final 15. Even among cricket’s most unique talents, Noor is an anomaly. Mystery spinners often allow batters a moment of adjustment by letting them read deliveries off the pitch—Noor denies them even that.
Suryakumar Yadav had Mumbai Indians’ fate in his hands when he took strike for the third ball of the 11th over. MI had recovered from a rough powerplay, and a 200-plus total was within reach. Noor, stationed far back at the top of his mark—unlike Jadeja, who relies on a short, sharp approach—prepared to unleash his next delivery. His intent was clear: relentless pace, pinpoint accuracy, and no room for hesitation.
During the mega auction in November, Mumbai Indians wasted no time in raising the paddle when Noor Ahmad’s name was called. Their scouting network is renowned, but this time, they likely didn’t need much deliberation. Chennai Super Kings quickly joined the bidding war, and the price climbed to ₹5 crore. Mumbai eventually backed out.
Gujarat Titans, Noor’s previous team, exercised their right-to-match option, but CSK coach Stephen Fleming wasn’t ready to surrender. He doubled the bid, pushing it up to ₹10 crore. In an era where many anticipate the 300-run mark being breached in T20 cricket, CSK are taking a different approach—arming themselves with game-changers capable of spoiling the party.
“We’ve recognized that as the game evolves, bowling strategies need to be highly specific,” Stephen Fleming had explained. “You have to take wickets to slow teams down. Simply trying to contain won’t work anymore, given the kind of hitting power modern players possess. If you don’t attack, they’ll take the game away from you. So, we’ve looked at smart options that complement our retained players and add the variation we felt we lacked last season.”
Fleming emphasized that Noor Ahmad was brought in as an attacking option for the middle overs. “If we get turning conditions, we have a real chance to keep taking wickets. And with Pathirana at the death, we’ve got that phase covered as well.”
Against Mumbai Indians, the pitch did turn, and CSK used Noor not just in the middle overs but also at the death. He finished with four wickets—just one short of the total tally of CSK’s spinners at Chepauk last season. Wrist spin is an art form. Noor’s version? Art in fast forward.
