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New age dawns with Afghan teen's debut

Sixteen-year-old off-spinner becomes first male born in the 21st century to play international cricket

Off-spinner Mujeeb Zadran became the first international male cricketer born in the 21st century as his four wickets helped Afghanistan thrash Ireland by 138 runs in the first one-day international in Sharjah on Tuesday.

Born on March 28, 2001, the 16-year-old's 4-24 were the joint-best figures for an Afghanistan bowler on ODI debut as Ireland were bowled out for only 100 in pursuit of 239.

Afghanistan's biggest win over Ireland gives them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the remaining matches also in Sharjah on December 7 and 10.

Image Id: 9C5AA7C98DB144FC9D4C83BAF1E9F10A Image Caption: Mujeeb (right) celebrates one of his four debut wickets // Getty

Ireland women's all-rounder Gaby Lewis became the first international cricketer born this millennium – which started on January 1 2001, not January 1 2000, to be precise – when she made her T20 international debut against South Africa at Solihull, England in 2014.

The debuts of Lewis and now Mujeeb signal the beginning of a new era in international cricket, with Derbyshire's Hamidullah Qadri – also of Afghan descent – in June becoming the first player born in the year 2000 to play in England's County Championship.

Australia’s JLT Sheffield Shield has yet to see a player born in the ‘noughties’ make their debut, although Western Australian quick Cameron Green – born in June 1999 - made headlines of his own when he ripped through Tasmania with a five-wicket haul in his maiden outing last summer.

Green tears apart Tigers on debut

More recently, promising NSW batsman Jason Sangha – born in September 1999 – stole the limelight after becoming the youngest batsman since Sachin Tendulkar to score a first-class century against England when he struck 133 against the Old Enemy in a Magellan Ashes tour match in Townsville last month.

Young Victoria rookie-listed quicks Mitch Perry and Zak Evans, along with Sydney Sixers development rookie Jack Edwards, are among the only Australians born after January 1 2000 to hold professional contracts.

Sangha joins Tendulkar with England ton

Mujeeb, brought into the Afghanistan side for this series after taking 20 wickets in five matches to help his country win the Under-19 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur last month, made an early impact in Sharjah.

Ireland Skipper William Porterfield (35), Stuart Poynter (27 not out) and George Dockrell (10) were the only batsmen to reach double figures in Ireland's lowest total against Afghanistan.

Their previous lowest was 150 at Belfast in 2016 and their previous heaviest defeat against Afghanistan was by 71 runs in Dublin in 2015.

Rising star Rashid Khan, 19, who is set to to play for Adelaide Strikers in the upcoming KFC Big Bash League, took 3-28 with his leg-spin having earlier struck a 49-ball 48.

Afghanistan, sent in to bat, made 9-238 with Nasir Jamal scoring 53 and Rahmat Shah an even 50.

The big-hitting Shafiqullah Shafiq smashed a 23-ball 36 with three sixes after coming in at number nine.

Boyd Rankin (4-44) and Tim Murtagh (3-28) did best with the ball for Ireland, while Kevin O'Brien took 1-50 to become the first Irish bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets.