Who is Azim Kazi?
Azim Kazi is an all-rounder who captains the Ratnagiri Jets in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL). He has led his team to triumph in both MPL campaigns with his exceptional leadership. A left-handed middle-order batter and a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, Kazi has become a cornerstone for the Jets.
Before the MPL 2023 auction, all six franchises were required to select an icon player. Prominent names like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kedar Jadhav, and Rahul Tripathi were chosen by the Puneri Bappa, PBG Kolhapur Tuskers, and Eagle Nashik Titans, respectively. However, Kazi was picked as the icon player by the Ratnagiri Jets ahead of the inaugural MPL season, and the decision has proven to be immensely successful.
In the previous season, Kazi scored 121 runs in six matches, averaging 24.2 with a strike rate of 119.8. Notably, he opened the batting and scored a crucial half-century against the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Kings, helping his team to a total of 173/5. In a rain-affected match against the Puneri Bappa, he smashed 21 off just nine balls.
This season, Kazi excelled even further as a batter. The Jets skipper accumulated 289 runs in 12 innings, anchoring the top-order. He was named Player of the Match for his stellar batting against the PBG Kolhapur Tuskers and his all-round performance against the Raigad Royals in the first two matches of MPL 2024.
The Ahmednagar native continued his impressive form with a match-winning half-century against the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Kings in the third game. Although he didn’t bowl much, he maintained an economy rate of 6.33 across 5 innings, with best bowling figures of 3/11 against the Raigad Royals.
Kazi’s deep understanding of the game and strategic use of resources have cemented his status as an exemplary leader, as evidenced by the Ratnagiri Jets’ two MPL titles.
Kazi has been a constant for Maharashtra over the last 5 years
Azim Kazi made his debut for Maharashtra in all three formats in 2019. He made his debut for the state in all three formats in 2019. In First-Class cricket, he has scored 1015 runs at an average of 36.25 and taken 5 wickets in 18 matches.
However, the 30-year-old is more associated with limited-overs cricket, having amassed 1497 runs and 26 wickets in 43 List A games. In T20s, he has 628 runs and 35 wickets in 45 matches for Maharashtra, boasting a career economy rate of 6.89.
His ability to bat anywhere in the order, deliver tight spells during the middle overs, and his leadership qualities have made him a key figure in Maharashtra cricket. If he continues to deliver such performances, an IPL contract could be on the horizon for Kazi, especially if the impact player rule is abolished.
