Afghanistan will be missing key spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Ireland in the UAE. Rashid is recovering from back surgery, while Mujeeb is sidelined with a right phalanx sprain, ruling them out of the series starting next week.
In their absence, Afghanistan has included three new faces in their squad. Left-arm spin bowling allrounder Nangyal Kharoti, right-arm offspinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, and right-arm quick Bilal Sami are set to make their national debuts.
“Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman continue to recover from their respective injuries and are unavailable for selection. However, we have included some of the top-performing youngsters in Nangyal Kharoti and Bilal Sami. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar is a very talented cricketer and has demonstrated excellent skills during the U19 World Cup. He will provide cover for Mujeeb Ur Rahman,” said ACB chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil.
All three ODIs will be played in Sharjah on March 7, 9, and 12.
SQUAD: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Nangyal Kharoti, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, and Farid Ahmad Malik.
In addition to the 16-member lineup, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Shahidullah Kamal, and Qais Ahmad are included in the list as reserves.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram