MLC 2025: 'The pitches are unpredictable' - Noor Ahmad on playing in the USA

Young Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad is settling into life with Texas Super Kings in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) season and admits that juggling multiple T20 leagues without much rest is a tough ask.

However, the 20-year-old revealed that he’s grown accustomed to the challenges. “Well, it’s tough to go from one league to another when you don’t have rest,” the Texas Super Kings player told TimesofIndia.com. “As a professional player, it’s not easy, but you have to take care of your body and use the off days well to recover and rest. It’s been almost three or four years now, and I’m used to it.” The left-arm spinner, who played a four matches in the previous MLC season and claimed nine wickets, believes the competition in the U.S.

is only getting stronger. “The level of cricket here is very good. Very good local players, very good international players. It’s always a good competition. I’m enjoying it,” he said.

Reflecting on the unique playing conditions in the U.S., Noor pointed out that pitches can vary significantly. “The boundaries are shorter here. The pitches are unpredictable, sometimes good for bowling, sometimes very flat and good for batting,” he observed.

Noor, who has built his reputation in T20 leagues across the world, values the exposure to different playing environments and dressing rooms. “Experience is very important. When you play in different leagues, you share a dressing room with different kinds of players, especially senior players, and that’s how you learn,” he said. “When pressure situations come, that is the time you use that experience.” The spinner also donned the jersey of Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League in the 2025 season.

At the moment, Noor Ahmad and TSK are third in the MLC with five wins and two losses in the seven games they've played. The youngster already has 10 wickets with an economy of 8.60. He is ranked joint-fourth among the highest wicket takers in the competition.