Fazalhaq Farooqi

Fazalhaq Farooqi

Role: Bowler
DOB: 22 September 2000
IPL Team (2026): Unsold
Base Price: INR 50 Lakh (last known)

The Story of Fazalhaq Farooqi

From the dusty pitches of Afghanistan emerged a left-arm pace sensation, Fazalhaq Farooqi, whose raw talent and deceptive variations quickly caught the eye of scouts worldwide. Born in Baghlan, Farooqi’s journey into professional cricket was marked by a rapid ascent through the ranks, showcasing an ability to swing the new ball prodigiously and deliver pinpoint yorkers at the death. His international debut in 2021 immediately highlighted his potential, as he consistently troubled batsmen with his pace and control, becoming a vital cog in Afghanistan’s T20 setup.

Farooqi’s entry into the IPL was a testament to his burgeoning reputation. He was initially picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2022 as a replacement player, a strategic move to bolster their pace attack with an exciting overseas option. While he didn’t feature in a match that season, the experience of being part of an IPL squad, training alongside world-class cricketers, was invaluable. This exposure set the stage for his playing debut in IPL 2023, where he finally got to showcase his skills on the grandest T20 league stage.

His breakthrough moment in the IPL came during the 2023 season, particularly in the match against Rajasthan Royals. Though SRH ended up on the losing side, Farooqi made an immediate impact, picking up two crucial wickets for 41 runs, including the prized scalp of Jos Buttler. He followed this with another two-wicket haul against Punjab Kings, demonstrating his knack for breaking partnerships. While his economy rate sometimes suffered under pressure, his ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs and his fearless approach to bowling in powerplays and death overs made him an intriguing prospect. Despite a limited run, Farooqi left an impression as a bowler with genuine wicket-taking potential, a left-arm angle that’s always a valuable asset, and a willingness to learn and adapt.

IPL Journey: Team by Team

Fazalhaq Farooqi’s IPL journey has been exclusively with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) franchise. He was first acquired by SRH in IPL 2022 as a replacement for Sean Abbott, joining the squad at his base price of INR 50 Lakh. Although he spent the entire 2022 season on the bench, soaking in the atmosphere and learning from his teammates, SRH showed faith in his potential by retaining him for the IPL 2023 season. This retention indicated the team management’s belief in his long-term prospects, especially given his impressive performances in international T20s leading up to that point.

In IPL 2023, Farooqi finally made his playing debut for SRH. He featured in 4 matches, where he picked up 4 wickets. His best performance came against Rajasthan Royals, where he claimed 2/41, and he followed it up with another 2/33 against Punjab Kings. Despite these flashes of brilliance, his overall economy rate of 9.78 proved to be a concern in a high-scoring season, and he was eventually rotated out of the playing XI. Following the 2023 season, SRH opted not to retain him, and he subsequently went unsold in the IPL 2024 auction at his base price of INR 50 Lakh. As of IPL 2026, Farooqi remains unsold, awaiting another opportunity to showcase his left-arm pace in the league.

What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective

From a betting perspective, Fazalhaq Farooqi is a fascinating, albeit high-risk, proposition. His primary strength lies in his left-arm angle and ability to swing the new ball, making him a potent threat in the powerplay. When conditions offer even a hint of swing, betting on Farooqi to pick up a wicket in the first three overs can be lucrative, especially against right-handed heavy top orders. His variations, including the slower ball and yorker, also give him potential at the death, though his execution under pressure has been inconsistent in the IPL.

However, his IPL statistics reveal a significant weakness: an elevated economy rate (9.78). This makes him a risky bet for “runs conceded” markets, particularly on flat Indian pitches or smaller grounds. He tends to be expensive when his swing isn’t working or when batsmen target him early. Bettors should look for specific match-ups: he thrives against teams with a history of struggling against left-arm pace or those with a top order prone to early collapses. Conversely, against power-hitters who can clear the ropes with ease, betting against his economy rate might be a safer play. Consistency is his biggest challenge; while capable of match-winning spells, he can also leak runs quickly. Therefore, Farooqi is best considered for “wicket-taker” markets in favorable conditions, rather than “most economical bowler” or “total runs conceded” bets.

Key Records & Milestones

• One of only a handful of Afghan pace bowlers to feature in the Indian Premier League.
• Made his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2023 season.
• Best IPL bowling figures: 2/33 against Punjab Kings in IPL 2023.
• Secured 4 wickets in his debut IPL season (2023) from 4 matches.

IPL Season Highlights

Fazalhaq Farooqi’s IPL journey has been brief, with his sole playing season being IPL 2023 for Sunrisers Hyderabad. In his debut match against Rajasthan Royals, he immediately made an impact by dismissing the dangerous Jos Buttler and Riyan Parag, finishing with figures of 2/41. This performance showcased his ability to get crucial breakthroughs against established IPL batsmen. He followed this up with another strong outing against Punjab Kings, where he again picked up two wickets for 33 runs, including the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan, demonstrating his knack for breaking partnerships. While his economy was a point of concern in other matches, these two performances highlighted his potential as a wicket-taking left-arm pacer, capable of delivering key blows to the opposition’s batting lineup.