Afghanistan mystery spinner Mujeeb Zadran revealed that he had learned a lot of tricks from Ravichandran Ashwin during the recently concluded season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and he will use them during his team’s inaugural Test against India, beginning in Bengaluru from Thursday.

Having made his domestic debut only in August last year, the 17-year-old spin sensation has risen rapidly to become a key member of the national team alongside lead spinner Rashid Khan.

Ashwin taught him a mystery ball in the Kings XI Punjab nets during the IPL and Mujeeb said he is going to use that against India. As quoted in PTI, he said, “I spent a lot of time with Ashwin at the nets and it was really helpful. He told me spots where to bowl. He has also taught me a new ball and I am trying to learn it. It is a carrom ball with an off-spin action.”

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Mujeeb has not played a First-Class game yet but his career in shorter formats has made him “fearless”. He said, “I have played high-level cricket already so there is no fear going into the Test. Thanks to the IPL, I know how to handle pressure. I don’t fear to play against any opposition. It used to play on my mind but not anymore.”

Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai has gone on to say that his spin department, comprising Rashid, Mujeeb, Mohammad Nabi and Rahmat Shah, is even better than India. Mujeeb is one of them and having spent more than a month with Ashwin, he is ready to use the gained wisdom against the KXIP captain.

Asked if the occasion could get the better of him in Bengaluru, Mujeeb said: “You always play with a motive and it is a matter of great pride for me that Afghanistan is playing their first Test and I am also part of the squad.”

Mujeeb is one of the few Afghan cricketers who doesn’t speak Hindi, therefore, a translator sat by his side during the interaction where he spoke in Pashto.