{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Five International Cricketers Including Mohammad Yousuf and Josh Buttler Who Changed Their Names Mid Career",
  "summary": "Several international cricketers altered their names during their playing careers due to religious faith, family reasons, or national pride, including legends like Mohammad Yousuf and Tilakratne Dilshan.",
  "content": "In the arena of international cricket, players are fundamentally identified by their stats, batting prowess, and bowling speeds. However, across the sport's long and celebrated history, several prominent figures have chosen to present themselves under entirely new names at crucial junctures of their careers. Whether driven by spiritual transformation, familial circumstances, administrative clarification, or deep patriotic sentiment, these identity shifts remain fascinating chapters in cricket folklore. Here is a detailed look at five renowned international cricketers who officially changed their names during their active playing careers.\n\nMohammad Yousuf: The Journey from Yousuf Youhana to World Record Holder\nOne of the most widely discussed name changes in cricket history belongs to legendary Pakistani batter Mohammad Yousuf. Born in Lahore, he initially began his career under the name Yousuf Youhana, becoming only the fourth Christian cricketer to represent the Pakistan national team. In 2005, inspired by his teammate Saeed Anwar, he converted to Islam and adopted the name Mohammad Yousuf.\n\nFollowing his conversion and name change, his batting form scaled remarkable heights. In 2006, he enjoyed a monumental calendar year, scoring 1,788 Test runs to set a world record that remains unbroken to this day. During that same sensational year, he also established records for hitting 9 centuries and recording the highest number of scores exceeding 150 in a single calendar year. Across a distinguished career comprising 90 Test matches with 7,530 runs and 288 ODIs featuring 9,720 runs, Yousuf solidified his legacy as one of Pakistan's greatest batsmen.\n\nTilakratne Dilshan: From Tuwan Mohammad to Creator of the Dilscoop\nFamed for his aggressive opening batting and as the pioneer of the innovative 'Dilscoop' shot, Sri Lanka's Tilakratne Dilshan also experienced a significant identity change. Born into a Muslim family, his original name was Tuwan Mohammad Dilshan. His father was Muslim while his mother practiced Buddhism. Following his parents' separation, he chose to embrace his mother's Buddhist faith.\n\nAlong with this religious transition, he officially changed his full name to Tilakratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan. Under his new identity, he developed into one of Sri Lanka's most dependable all-rounders. Over a 17-year international career, Dilshan amassed 10,290 runs and took 106 wickets in ODIs, alongside contributing 5,492 runs in Test cricket.\n\nJosh Buttler: Adding an 'h' to Resolve Administrative Confusion\nEngland's World Cup-winning captain and explosive wicketkeeper-batter Josh Buttler added a unique modern entry to the list of name changes. For years, cricket commentators, fans, and media spellings referred to him as 'Jos'. However, his family, mother, and several official documents had consistently used the spelling 'Josh'.\n\nTo end the longstanding confusion between his popular moniker and official record, he released a lighthearted video on social media announcing that he was formally appending an 'h' to his first name. From that point onward, he officially designated himself as Josh Buttler.\n\nSuraj Randiv: Early Identity and the Sehwag No Ball Incident\nSri Lankan off-spinner Suraj Randiv, who featured in the final of the 2011 ODI World Cup, is another player who altered his name during his playing days. Born in a Muslim family, his original name was Mohammad Marshook Mohammad Suraj, which he later changed to Suraj Randiv.\n\nRandiv gained global attention during a 2010 ODI tri-series match when he bowled a controversial no-ball to Indian batter Virender Sehwag. The deliberate extra allowed Sri Lanka to lose the match via a wide/no-ball boundary before Sehwag could complete his century, leaving Sehwag stranded on 99. Randiv represented Sri Lanka in 12 Test matches and 31 ODIs during his international stint.\n\nAsghar Afghan: Renaming Surname out of National Pride\nAsghar Afghan, one of Afghanistan's most successful captains who helped establish his country on the international cricket map, changed his name out of deep patriotic pride. In 2018, he officially dropped his surname 'Stanikzai' and replaced it with 'Afghan' to demonstrate allegiance and honor toward his homeland.\n\nHe expressed that an international athlete's identity should reflect their country above all else. Under his leadership, Afghanistan played its historical debut Test match. Before stepping away from international cricket in 2021, Asghar represented Afghanistan in 114 ODIs and 75 T20s.\n\nWhat this means for you\n• For Cricket Fans: This insight offers a deeper perspective on key moments in cricket history and the personal evolutions of top players.\n• For Record Tracking: Helps readers navigate cricket archives and historical stats where players might be listed under different names.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. What was Mohammad Yousuf's original name?\nMohammad Yousuf's original name was Yousuf Youhana before he embraced Islam and changed his name in 2005.\n\n2. Why did Tilakratne Dilshan change his name?\nAfter his parents separated, he adopted his mother's Buddhist faith and changed his name from Tuwan Mohammad Dilshan to Tilakratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan.\n\n3. Why did Josh Buttler add an 'h' to his name?\nTo eliminate long-standing confusion caused by family and official documents using 'Josh', he officially added an 'h' to spell his name as Josh Buttler.\n\n4. Why did Asghar Stanikzai adopt 'Afghan' as his surname?\nIn 2018, he dropped the surname Stanikzai and adopted Afghan to demonstrate national pride and express respect for his country.\n\n5. What was Suraj Randiv's initial name?\nHis initial name was Mohammad Marshook Mohammad Suraj, which he later changed to Suraj Randiv.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/mohammad-yousuf-aura-josh-buttler-sameta-5-antararashtriya-kriketa-khilari-jinhonne-khela-ke-daurana-badala-apana-nama-17416",
  "category": "Cricket",
  "publishedAt": "2026-08-16",
  "tags": [
    "Cricket",
    "Mohammad Yousuf",
    "Tilakratne Dilshan",
    "Josh Buttler",
    "Suraj Randiv",
    "Asghar Afghan",
    "Cricket History"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}