Afghanistan announce 17-man squad for ODI series against Pakistan

Afghanistan have announced a 17-man squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan. The series will be played in the United Arab Emirates in September and it will also be part of the World Cup Super League. The dates for the contest are not announced yet and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is expected to finalise the same soon.

This will be the first assignment for the newly appointed ODI captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and his deputy Rahmat Shah. Afghanistan last played in the 50-over format in January in the three-match series against Ireland and won all three games of the contest.

Afghanistan’s #Squad for the three-match ICC ODI Super League matches against @TheRealPCB in September #AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/03elqNltGZ

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) July 23, 2021

As far as the squad is concerned, former captain, Asghar Afghan is no more part of the set-up. He was axed from the captaincy only recently despite leading the team to a whitewash against Ireland. This makes it clear that Afghanistan is looking to build a team for the World Cup 2023. Having said that, the veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi is part of the squad while Rashid Khan will also be back playing for his country.

Other exciting players in the line-up are Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz who could open the innings in the series. The likes of Sediq Atal and Abdul Rehman have been rewarded for their domestic performances as they have been picked in the squad. Meanwhile, the selectors have also named four reserved players – Yousuf Zazai, Saleem Safi, Qais Ahmad and Sharafuddin Ashraf.

Pakistan and Afghanistan played out a thriller in the 2019 World Cup

Pakistan and Afghanistan last faced each other in the 2019 World Cup in England. The two teams had played out a thriller then. Afghanistan had posted a competitive total of 227 runs in their 50 overs with vital contributions from Afghan and Najibullah Zadran. Pakistan, in response, were in tatters at one stage with only 156 runs on the board and had only four wickets in hand.

But the all-rounder Imad Wasim played a brilliant hand even as tempers flared in the crowd throughout the day. Pakistan registered a memorable victory in the final over of the match which clearly suggests that the three-match ODI series in September will be the one to watch out for.

Afghanistan squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediq Atal, Rahmat Shah (VC), Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Najibullah Zadran, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Shahid Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmat Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Abdul Rahman, Naveen ul Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Noor Ahmed.

Reserved Players: Yousuf Zazai, Saleem Safi, Qais Ahmad and Sharafuddin Ashraf.