Bovey Tracey CC<br>credit: Conrad Sutcliffe

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

BOVEY Tracey trail-blazer Munir Ahmed can help them to a Tolchards DCL Premier Division title in 2022.

Ahmed will be the first Afghan cricketer to appear in the Premier Division when he makes his league debut in May.

Other clubs have had Afghans on their registration lists, Plymouth CS&R and Exeter among them, but none have ever appeared in the Premier Division before.

Ahmed, who will be 22 in February, will arrive in Devon with a formidable reputation in First Class and List A cricket in tournaments in and around the Gulf.

His First Class statistics include a double hundred, eight more scores of a hundred or more and eight half-centuries. His most recent knock was 211 off 333 balls for Boost Region against Speen Ghar in Kandahar.

Boost totted-up 864 for nine declared in a four-day game that ended in a draw after Speen Ghar replied with 490 for seven.

Ahmed averages nearly 50 in First Class cricket, 61.24 in List A games and 37.28 in Twenty20 matches.

He made his Test debut against Zimbabwe during 2021. Playing for the opposition was Donald Tiripano, who is Sandford’s overseas professional in 2022.

Ahmed doubles as a wicketkeeper in domestic cricket, although opportunities may be limited as Bovey skipper Lewis Hammett generally wears the gloves.

Ahmed may be the first Afghan cricketer to appear in Premier Division cricket in Devon, but Hammett suspects he won’t be the last.

“Afghan cricket has a real buzz around it with their players playing in all the big tournaments around the world and we hope Munir can showcase his skills in Devon,” said Hammett.

“He has played one Test match already and will be looking to add to that appearance. 

“Munir might be selected for a Test match against Ireland while here so will be getting valuable experience.

“We hope Munir will be hungry to score runs and improve his cricket in a English conditions.”