Gulbadin Naib

Those first years were difficult. He found it hard to make a lasting impact with either bat or ball, and he was not given an extended sequence of matches in which to secure a regular spot. Off the field he was also dealing with health worries in his family, yet he stayed committed to the sport. That persistence brought him back into the side in mid-2014 for a tour of Zimbabwe, but the return did not go well, and he later lost the backing of the selectors before the World Cup.

Naib responded by remodelling his game, this time as a middle-order batsman. He was brought back in mid-2016, and the change soon paid off when he struck an unbeaten 82 against Zimbabwe from the middle order. A run of modest scores came next, but the team kept faith in him and he gradually grew into the role.

His value was underlined during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. With Afghanistan's campaign in trouble, he was moved up to open the batting, and he delivered substantial innings in the decisive matches against the United Arab Emirates and Ireland, games his side needed to win.