Afghanistan cricketer Najeeb Tarakai dies following car accident

Najeeb Tarakai, the Afghanistan top-order batsman who was hit by a car in Jalalabad on Friday, has died at the age of 29. In a tweet released by the Afghanistan Cricket Board, it said, “ACB and Afghanistan Cricket Loving Nation mourns the heart breaking and grievous loss of its aggressive opening batsman & a very fine human being Najeeb Tarakai (29) who lost his life to a tragic traffic accident leaving us all shocked.”

On Friday, according to Ibrahim Momand, the ex-media manager of the Afghanistan cricket team, he tweeted from his handle that there has been no improvement in his condition. “It's has been 22 hours now since a deadly accident but national cricketer @Najibtaraki78 is unmoved & still in coma despite head injury. He reportedly hit by a car in Jalalabad city. fans asking @ACBofficials to facilitate shifting him to Kabul or neighbor countries hospitals,” Momand tweeted.

ACB and Afghanistan Cricket Loving Nation mourns the heart breaking & grievous loss of its aggressive opening batsman & a very fine human being Najeeb Tarakai (29) who lost his life to tragic traffic accident leaving us all shocked!

May Allah Shower His Mercy on him pic.twitter.com/Ne1EWtymnO

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 6, 2020

An hour later, the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s official Twitter handle also confirmed the news and said that they are in constant touch with the authorities. “National player Najeeb Tarakai was severely injured in a car accident yesterday and is in critical condition even after an operation last night. ACB has so far taken all necessary steps to facilitate his recovery in Nangarhar where he is under treatment currently. ACB is also in regular contact with relevant authorities to assess his health condition and shift him to Kabul or outside Afghanistan as soon as possible whenever allowed by health officials. ACB staff and leadership pray for his speedy recovery and wish him good health,” Afghanistan Cricket Board tweeted.

Tarakai in international cricket

Najeeb Tarakai made his international debut for Afghanistan in 2014 against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup. In 12 Twenty20 Internationals, his highest score has been 90 which he made against Ireland at Greater Noida in 2017. However, that is his only prominent knock and after playing one ODI against Ireland in 2017, he has not featured in any tournament.

Recently, during the Shpageeza T20 tournament in September, he was part of the Mis Ainak Knights. He has a good record in First Class cricket, scoring over 2000 runs at an average of 47 with six centuries and 10 fifites. His highest score is 200. In List A cricket, he averages 32 with 553 runs in 17 matches with a high score of 121.