Najibullah, in the BPL, says he loves Bangladesh

Najibullah Zadran has become a historic figure in Afghan cricket as one of its top stars. He will be featured prominently in the statistics page. Playing a crucial role as a finisher for the Chittagong team, Najibullah has shown his finishing prowess in matches. In the realm of entertainment cricket T20, Najibullah aspires to be one of the top performers. His decision to play in the BPL instead of the IPL T20 league shows his love for Bangladesh. He was impressed by the batting performances of young talents Tanjid Tamim and Shahadat Dipu.

Najibullah Zadran is well known in Bangladesh and the BPL. Apart from assignments with the national team, he has played for four different BPL teams: Chittagong Vikings, Khulna Tigers, Minister Group Dhaka, and now, he has returned to Chittagong Challengers. Recently, during his stay at the Chittagong Challengers' team hotel, he shared his excitement about playing cricket in Bangladesh. He recounted a thrilling tale of his journey into cricket. In Afghan cricket, Mohammad Nabi is regarded highly. Among Bangladeshi stars, Najibullah's favorites are Tamim, Mashrafe, and Shakib.

Cricket97: With four wins in five matches, how do you feel about the team's performance, and how much ahead are Chittagong Challengers in the final?

Najibullah: "Yes, I'm really happy to contribute. Insha'Allah, we will do our best to earn the qualification for the playoffs, and then we'll see."

Cricket97: In the first match of this year's BPL, you partnered with Shahadat Hossain Dipu to secure a win for the team. How do you rate him as a young talent?

Najibullah:"Yes, I've seen he has played really well, especially he is learning a lot and listening. It's very important for a young talent. He really played good cricket that day, and I've seen his batting in the nets; he's a good player."

Cricket97: You have played franchise cricket around the world. How do you rate the BPL?

Najibullah: "I have played BPL three to four times, and I really enjoy BPL, so I came here. Last year, I was in the IPL, but this year, I told my manager that I want to play in the BPL because I like playing in Bangladesh. I have played a lot of cricket here, so I came, and it's really a good franchise league, a very good league, so I'm really enjoying it. I'm happy to be here."

Cricket97: What is your favorite memory from the BPL?

Najibullah Zadran:"I have many memories. But whenever I used to win matches for my team, it's always a big achievement for me and a good memory."

Cricket97: Who is your favorite Bangladeshi cricketer?

Najibullah Zadran: "I have a few, not one, Tamim Iqbal. Before that, Mashrafe Mortaza, also Shakib and Mahmudullah, and they are really good cricketers, and I like them all."

Cricket97: How do you rate Tanjid Tamim as an opener?

Najibullah Zadran: "Yes, he has played really well. In the last match, he scored fifty. He's a good player. I think he's also a Test player; he's our senior player, so he should take responsibility. And it's necessary to take more responsibility. And for our team, he has won the match, so he's really a good batsman and with a great future."

Cricket97:Mohammad Nabi is one of the stars of Afghan cricket. How do you rate his contribution to Afghan cricket?

Najibullah Zadran: "Nabi has had a significant impact. He has played for more than 20 years as an Afghan. It's a big achievement. For Afghanistan, he has truly performed exceptionally well in every match, and I hope he continues to play more. He is our most senior player. Afghanistan needs him. He's a legend. I also like Nabi a lot. We have been playing together for the last 10-12 years, and we have batted together every year. Sometimes at number five or six, then I really enjoy batting with Nabi."

Cricket97:You played an innings against Bangladesh in T20Is last year. How did you feel playing against Bangladesh, and what were the reasons behind it?

Najibullah Zadran: "I like to play against Bangladesh because I have played a lot of BPL matches here, and I know all the bowlers and their strengths. I play my own game, and I want to win as an Afghan. Every player has a goal, and you have to beat any team. My plan is simple, and I want to win as an Afghan."

Cricket97: Bangladesh has been playing good cricket in T20Is under the leadership of Shakib, and there's a T20 World Cup shortly. How do you see Bangladesh's chances as a T20 team?

Najibullah Zadran:"The World Cup will be held in West Indies and the USA. I think there will be slow wickets, so it will be good for Asian countries. Because everyone has good spinners. When good cricket is played, any team can win that day. It's important to play good cricket in the World Cup. Let's see..."

Cricket97: Do you have any stories behind becoming a cricketer?

Najibullah Zadran: "When I was young, I liked cricket a lot. I played tennis ball cricket, softball cricket. Then I used to follow some cricketers, former cricketers. Our former cricketer Karim Sadiq told me to come to hardball cricket because I had talent, I had the ability, and one day you will represent the Afghan team. So, I started playing cricket."

Cricket97:Is there any Bangladeshi food that has made it to your favorite list until now?

Najibullah Zadran:"The food here is quite spicy; I don't really like spicy food. I don't like spices, but I like Bangladeshi fish. Most of the time, I eat fish here."