The Afghan leg-spinner
Qais is a right-arm leg-break bowler who bats right-handed, and he has been part of Afghanistan's white-ball plans since his teens. He was a member of the Afghanistan squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup, and he has played in franchise leagues around the world.
His T20 game is built on variety: a big leg-break, a googly that is hard to pick, and a quicker ball that hurries batters. He has played in the Big Bash for Hobart Hurricanes, in the Caribbean Premier League, in the Lanka Premier League and in the ILT20, and his record in the format is consistently strong. The Knight Riders paid $38,000 for him — a low price for a bowler of his quality — and he is one of four Afghans in the squad, which matters with two required in every playing eleven.
| Profile | Detail |
|---|---|
| Role | Bowler |
| Team | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders |
| Batting | Right-handed bat |
| Bowling | Right-arm leg-break |
| Born | 15 August 2000, Nangarhar, Afghanistan |
Career so far
Qais made his Afghanistan debut in 2017, at 17, and has played more than 50 T20Is. He was part of the side that reached the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-finals in the Caribbean, and he has been a regular in Afghanistan's spin attack alongside Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
His franchise career has taken him to Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL, where he was a regular for three seasons, and to the CPL, the LPL and the ILT20. His googly has troubled some of the best batters in the world. At 26, he is entering his prime as a wrist-spinner — and the Knight Riders have signed him at the right time.
The spin group around him
Four frontline spinners is a luxury few T20 sides enjoy, and the Knight Riders have it: Narine's mystery, Gul's young wrist-spin, Tariq's off-spin — and Qais, the Afghan leg-spinner whose job is to be the second wrist-spinner — the one who bowls in the middle overs, takes wickets, and lets Narine control the game from the other end. Six of the Knight Riders' ten league games are in Abu Dhabi, where spin has often decided matches, and a leg-spinner who can also bat a little is exactly the profile this squad needs.
What’s next
Qais's season starts on 22 November against Dubai Capitals in Dubai, and the Knight Riders' first home game follows against MI Emirates on 26 November in Abu Dhabi. The full list of every ILT20 fixture is on the ILT20 Schedule.
- Match 3 — Dubai Capitals: Sunday 22 November 2026, evening session, Dubai.
- Match 7 — MI Emirates: Thursday 26 November 2026, evening session, Abu Dhabi.
- Match 11 — Sharjah Warriorz: Sunday 29 November 2026, afternoon session, Abu Dhabi.
- Match 13 — MI Emirates: Monday 30 November 2026, evening session, Abu Dhabi.
- Match 15 — Desert Vipers: Wednesday 2 December 2026, afternoon session, Abu Dhabi.
- Match 17 — Gulf Giants: Thursday 3 December 2026, evening session, Dubai.
- Match 19 — Gulf Giants: Saturday 5 December 2026, evening session, Abu Dhabi.
- Match 24 — Sharjah Warriorz: Wednesday 9 December 2026, evening session, Sharjah.
- Match 27 — Desert Vipers: Saturday 12 December 2026, evening session, Dubai.
- Match 30 — Dubai Capitals: Monday 14 December 2026, evening session, Abu Dhabi.
- Playoffs: Qualifier 1 on Tuesday 16 December, the Eliminator on Wednesday 17 December, Qualifier 2 on Friday 18 December, and the final on Sunday 20 December in Dubai.
Follow every ILT20 result as it happens on SialTV, with the points table updated after every match day.
Frequently asked questions
What is Qais Ahmad's bowling style?
Right-arm leg-break, with a googly. He is a wrist-spinner who bats right-handed.
Has Qais Ahmad played in a T20 World Cup semi-final?
Yes. He was part of the Afghanistan squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
When is the Knight Riders' first match of ILT20 Season 5?
Qais's first game for the Knight Riders comes on match 3 against Dubai Capitals on Sunday 22 November 2026, in the evening session in Dubai.