Zishan Motara: Biography, Cricket Career, and CPL Highlights
Zishan Motara is quickly becoming a popular name in West Indies cricket. He is a young leg-spinner from Barbados who bowls smartly and can also bat well in the lower order. He moved up through domestic cricket very quickly. In 2025, he even earned a place in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Because of this, many fans now watch him closely every time he bowls. His journey also shows an important lesson. Talent and hard work together can open doors to big opportunities in top-level cricket.
Early Life & Background
Zishan Yusuf Motara was born on 14 July 2006 in Barbados. He grew up in a place where cricket is very popular, which helped him develop a love for the game early. He showed natural talent with both bat and ball. At the same time, he studied at Barbados Community College while continuing to train and play cricket.
Motara played for Barbados at the under-17 level and helped his team win championships. At 17, selectors invited him to join senior development programs, marking the start of his professional journey.
Domestic Cricket Career
Zishan made his first-class debut for the Combined Campuses and Colleges in the 2023–24 West Indies Championship when he was only 17. In his second match, he took 7 wickets for 108 runs against the Jamaica Scorpions. This strong performance quickly brought him into the spotlight. Later, he joined the West Indies Academy for the 2024–25 season. There, he gained experience playing against stronger teams in first-class and List A matches.
Domestic Career Stats
So far, Zishan has built a solid record in domestic cricket. Below is a simple overview of his performance across different formats.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 10 | 16 | 236 | 56 | 15.73 | 25 | 7/108 | 33.24 |
| List A | 7 | 5 | 14 | 5 | 3.50 | 9 | 3/19 | 27.44 |
| T20 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1.50 | 1 | 1/39 | 79.00 |
International Cricket Career
The West Indies cricket team selectors quickly brought Zishan Motara into the senior team. He received his first T20I call-up in September 2025 for the Unity Cup cricket series against the Nepal national cricket team. He was only 19 years old, and the chance came after his strong performances in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Motara made his international debut on 29 September 2025. So far, he has played only one match, but the experience was very important for him.
International Cricket Career Stats
Zishan’s international statistics are still at an early stage. However, they give a small look at how his international career has started.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3.00 | 0 | – | 13.00 |
Zishan Motara CPL Career
Barbados Royals signed Zishan for the 2025 season of the Caribbean Premier League. Before that, he worked as a net bowler for the team in 2024. However, the team management promoted him to the main squad in 2025. This was a big moment in his young cricket career.
He adjusted quickly to the fast and competitive T20 format. Also, playing with experienced international players helped him learn faster. Because of this, his skills and confidence improved during the tournament. Many Royals fans liked his brave and energetic style from the beginning.
Debut in CPL
Zishan made his CPL debut for Barbados Royals against Trinbago Knight Riders in 2025. The match was played at Kensington Oval. At just 19 years old, he stepped onto a big stage with both excitement and nervousness. He bowled with good rhythm from the start. Moreover, bowling against strong T20 batters helped him improve his focus and confidence.
CPL 2025 Performances
In the Caribbean Premier League 2025 (CPL 2025), Zishan played some important matches for the Barbados Royals. He made two confirmed appearances and showed both challenges and promise. In one match, his first over was difficult because the batters were playing aggressively. However, he stayed calm, adjusted his bowling, and came back strongly later in the game. In another match, he faced well-known players like Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran. Bowling his second over under the floodlights created an exciting atmosphere in the stadium.
Notable Performances in CPL
One of the best moments came in a match against the Guyana Amazon Warriors. Zishan took his first wicket in the Caribbean Premier League at the age of just 19. This wicket was important and gave the team new energy during a tense part of the game.
Zishan Motara Stats in CPL
Zishan recorded the following numbers during his appearances in the Caribbean Premier League 2025 season while playing for the Barbados Royals.
| CPL Season | Team | Matches | Innings | Balls | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Barbados Royals | 2 | 2 | 36 | 66 | 1 | 1/39 | 11.00 |
Cricket Achievements
- Made his first-class debut at 17 years old.
- Took seven wickets in his second first-class match, a career highlight.
- Selected for the Barbados Royals in CPL 2025, starting his franchise cricket journey early.
- Made his T20I debut for the West Indies at 19.
- Earned cricket academy recognition through strong domestic performances.
- Known for leg-spin variations and a calm, focused attitude in every format.
- Supported by Barbados and the West Indies cricket systems for his growth.
- Considered an inspiring example for young cricketers aiming for quick yet grounded progress.
Read Also: Shaqkere Parris’ Cricket Journey & CPL Career
