Much like Maphaka who is the sole SA presence in RR, Farooqi is the sole Afghan in the team. Aged 24, the left-arm fast bowler made his international debut for his home country in 2021 and has established himself as one of the team’s best bowlers. 

His ability to swing the ball both ways was on display in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He racked up 17 wickets from just eight matches, finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament alongside India’s Arshdeep Singh. 

Prior to his 2025 signing to the Rajasthan Royals squad, Farooqi previously played for Punjab and Chennai.