Shahid Ahmadzai
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kandahar, Afghanistan
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 November 1988 Kandahar, Afghanistan |
| Batting | Left-handed |
| Bowling | Slow left-arm orthodox |
| Role | All-Rounder |
| International information | |
| National side |
|
| ODI debut (cap 96) | 8 February 2024 v Nepal |
| Last ODI | 10 February 2024 v Nepal |
| T20I debut (cap 67) | 4 October 2023 v Cayman Islands |
| Last T20I | 19 March 2025 v Namibia |
Source: Cricinfo, 10 October 2023 | |
Shahid Ahmadzai (born 15 November 1988) is an Afghan-Canadian cricketer who plays for the Canada national cricket team.[1] He debuted for Canada in 2017, having earlier played for the Afghanistan national under-19 cricket team. He made an asylum claim in Canada in 2009 and was granted permanent residency in 2019.
Ahmadzai grew up as a refugee in Peshawar, Pakistan.[2] According to his asylum claim in Canada, his father and older brother were killed in 2002 by relatives associated with the Taliban.[3] After his family returned to Afghanistan, he attended Sayed Noor Mohammad Shah Mina High School in Kabul. He played street cricket from the age of 12 and was selected in the country's under-15, under-17 and under-19 national squads.[2]
Asylum claim
Ahmadzai represented the Afghanistan national under-19 cricket team at the 2009 Under-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Toronto. After the tournament's conclusion, he and four teammates refused to return to Afghanistan and sought asylum in Canada. His asylum claim was not heard until 2013 and was initially rejected, but he was allowed to remain in Canada on an open work permit. He completed his high school in Toronto and subsequently worked in factories, retail, plumbing and as an Uber driver.[3] Ahmadzai applied for Canadian permanent residency on three occasions, eventually being granted the status in 2019.[2] His second application was rejected but the decision was overturned by the Federal Court on appeal.[3]