CWC 2019: Afghanistan sends Aftab Alam home, Sayed Shirzad in as replacement

Afghanistan’s World Cup 2019 is turning out to be miserable not only on the field but also off it. The Asian side is yet to win a game in the tournament. However, they are garnering attention for all the wrong reasons. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has sent back medium-pace bowler Aftab Alam and has replaced him with Sayed Shirzad. The ICC has nodded in approval and has cleared that it is under ‘exceptional circumstances’.

The release issued by ACB on Thursday (27th June) states: “The decision to send Alam back from England has been taken under exceptional circumstances taking into account both ICC and ACB’s code of conduct rules and regulations. The decision stops Alam from further participating in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 as he will be under investigation by ACB for the alleged misconduct off the field.”

Alam, right-arm pacer, has been a part of Afghanistan’s three matches in the tournament. The 26-year old was impressive against New Zealand where he took 3/45. His last match was against India at Southampton where he dismissed Hardik Pandya while conceding 54 runs. The ACB is yet to clarify on exact nature of the disciplinary breach for which Alam has been sent back.

Sayed Shirzad, the 24-year old left-arm pacer, will be taking Alam’s place in the 2019 World Cup. Shirzad has played in only one ODI so far and it was washed out by rain. He is yet to bowl or face his first ball in ODI cricket. Shirzad has featured in four T20I for Afghanistan and has taken seven wickets.

This is the second replacement player that Afghanistan have sought in the competition. They had earlier sent back Mohammad Shahzad in a controversial manner. The side is already out of the reckoning with seven losses in as many matches. Their final two matches against Pakistan and West Indies, they will be heading home after a tumultuous campaign.