Sediqullah Atal

Biography

Sediqullah Atal, born on August 12, 2001, in Logar, Afghanistan, is a left-handed opening batter who has rapidly risen through the ranks to become one of Afghanistan's most promising cricket talents. Known for his aggressive stroke play and composure at the crease, Atal has made significant contributions across all formats for the national team.​

Early Life and Domestic Career

Atal's cricketing journey began in the local leagues of Logar, a province renowned for its burgeoning cricket culture. His talent was evident early on, leading to his selection for Afghanistan's squad in the 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. He made his Twenty20 debut on September 7, 2020, for the Kabul Eagles in the Shpageeza Cricket League. Subsequently, he debuted in List A cricket on October 17, 2021, for Band-e-Amir Region in the Ghazi Amanullah Khan Regional One Day Tournament. ​

International Career

Atal's consistent domestic performances paved the way for his international debut. He made his T20 International debut against Pakistan on March 27, 2023. His One Day International debut followed on November 6, 2024, against Bangladesh. In the ODI format, Atal has showcased his batting prowess, accumulating 335 runs in 9 matches at an impressive average of 41.87, including a century and two fifties.

In the longer format, Atal made his Test debut against Zimbabwe on December 26, 2024. Although he has played only one Test match to date, his inclusion signifies the selectors' confidence in his abilities.

Notable Achievements

One of Atal's standout performances came during the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in October 2024, where he represented Afghanistan A. He emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer, amassing 368 runs in 5 matches at an astonishing average of 122.66 and a strike rate of 145. His consistent performances, including scores of 83, 95, 52, 83, and 55, earned him the Player of the Tournament award and played a pivotal role in Afghanistan A's maiden ACC Asia Cup trophy win.

Atal's domestic success also led to opportunities in franchise cricket. He played for MI Cape Town in the SA20 league, where he continued to impress with his batting skills. ​

Career Statistics (as of February 2025)

ODIs: 9 matches, 335 runs, average 41.87, 1 century, 2 fifties, top score 104.​

T20Is: 9 matches, 96 runs, average 10.66, top score 35.​

Tests: 1 match, 3 runs.​

First-Class: 14 matches, 655 runs, average 28.47, 4 fifties, top score 85.​

List A: 31 matches, 977 runs, average 32.56, 1 century, 8 fifties, top score 104.​

T20s: 49 matches, 1,507 runs, average 34.25, 13 fifties, top score 95*.