The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has named an 18-member Afghanistan squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan that will be played in Sri Lanka. This series will be a preparation of sorts for both teams before the much-awaited Asia Cup 2023 tournament as well.
The three ODIs will be played on August 22,24 and 26 with the first two matches to be played in Hambantota and the third in Colombo.
The Afghanistan team will be captained by Hashmatullah Shahidi and has Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Alikhil as the designated wicketkeepers in the side. Also making his comeback into the Afghanistan ODI squad was Noor Ahmad which meant no room for left-arm spinner Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, who recently made his ODI debut against Bangladesh. Uncapped leg-spinner Izharulhaq Naveed, who was part of the Test squad, has been left out.
Fast Bowling duo of Mohammad Saleem Safi and Wafadar Momand, who were part of Afghanistan’s recent ODI tour to Bangladesh, have retained their spots in the lineup.
Concentration On Preparing Afghanistan Team For Asia Cup And World Cup 2023: ACB Chief Selector Mr. Asadullah Khan
Apart from the other changes, left-handed middle order batter Shahidullah Kamal and the left-arm fast bowler Farid Ahmad Malik, are part of the traveling reserves for the tour.
ACB Chief Selector Mr. Asadullah Khan: “Our whole concentration is to prepare the team for the upcoming two big events of Asia Cup and the World Cup 2023. This three-match ODI series against Pakistan provides us with a wonderful opportunity to prepare the team for the forthcoming two events.
The preparations for the Pakistan series are progressing well; the players have recently performed well in the Kabul Camp, which has been supervised by ACB’s HPC staff. The team will also undergo a week-long conditioning camp prior to the Pakistan Series.”
Afghanistan Squad:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Saleem Safi and Wafadar Momand.
Reserves: Farid Ahmad Malik and Shahidullah Kamal.
Series Schedule:
22nd August – 1st ODI, Hambantota, Sri Lanka
24th August – 2nd ODI, Hambantota, Sri Lanka
26th August – 3rd ODI, Colombo, Sri Lanka
? SQUAD ALERT ?
Here's Afghanistan Squad for the three-match ODI series against @TheRealPCB, scheduled for August 22 to 26 in Sri Lanka. ?
More ?: https://t.co/xyMDNLhxnV #AfghanAtalan | #AFGvPAK | #ByaLobaGato | #SuperCola pic.twitter.com/BUKktPp0WN
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 6, 2023