• Paarl Royals beef up spin contingent

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    The Paarl Royals have added Afghanistan mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman to their squad for the 2025 SA20 season.

    Over the past two seasons, Boland Park has earned a reputation as a haven for the slow bowlers, and Mujeeb will certainly find the conditions much to his liking.

    The Royals have compiled a potent spin trio with Mujeeb joining Royals stalwart Bjorn Fortuin and the recently Proteas-capped leg-spinner Nqaba Peter.

    Despite being just 23 years old, Mujeeb is an experienced T20 franchise league campaigner, having played 241 matches and taken 257 wickets at an average of 23.78 and economy of 6.76.

    Mujeeb has been part of the Royals’ family, having played for the Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League.

    He stamped his authority on the international game by becoming the youngest player to take five wickets in an ODI – at the age of just 16 years and 325 days – for Afghanistan.

    Mujeeb was also an integral part of the Afghanistan team that progressed to the T20 World Cup semi-finals in the Caribbean and USA.

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    “Mujeeb is an impressive young man who has performed in the best leagues around the world,” said Royals director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara. “He has the ability to deceive batters with his variety and pick up crucial wickets, and as his stats state, he can be very economical as well.

    “He adds a lot of depth and variety to our spin bowling department, and we are all very excited to have him make a real impact at the Paarl Royals.”

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    Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

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    Simon Borchardt