Javed Ahmadi is an opening batsman who has modelled his game on Michael Vaughan, and although he doesn't play the ball in the air as often as his team-mates he still manages to score briskly enough in limited-overs cricket and his attacking approach is his defining feature as an opener. Like Vaughan, he has captained his national Under-19 side, and may well be earmarked for further leadership duties in the future. But the similarities don't end there: he's also a handy offspinner.

Ahmadi has played in two Youth World Cups, in 2010 and 2012, and between times made his ODI debut for the senior side against Scotland, months after his 18th birthday. Ahmadi's 134 against Scotland was the highest individual score of the 2012 U19 World Cup, and he was the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament. During the tournament, he also led Afghanistan in the U19 plate final against Sri Lanka on August 24 in Brisbane and the next day was part of the senior side that took on Australia in an ODI in Sharjah, a 15-hour flight away - underlining his value to both teams.
Liam Brickhill