Mujeeb Zadran seems unfazed in the luxurious surroundings of a plush hotel in Christchurch as he prepares to reveal his cricketing journey. It's not uncommon to be mesmerized by the lavishness of a five-star hotel, and given the hardships players from Afghanistan have to confront to play cricket at the highest level, one would expect an U19 player to be daunted, too. Mujeeb, however, is different.
He grew up in a 'haveli', a traditional name for a mansion, in the town of Khost, 250 kilometers, south-east of Kabul. "We have a huge playground, a series of guest houses and even a small zoo." Mujeeb explains in his native Pashto.
Inside the perimeter walls of the mansion is also a set of cricketing facilities that is known as the Noor Cricket Academy. It has been set up up by Mujeeb's first cousin and current Afghanistan player, Noor Ali Zadran.
"I lost my father when I was very young, so I was raised by my mum's brother side of the family in that house," Mujeeb added.
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