Afghanistan has unveiled their 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17. The squad will be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi.
In a surprising move, Karim Janat, who last played an ODI for Afghanistan six years ago, has been recalled to the squad. Janat’s inclusion brings a blend of experience and fresh talent to the team, as Afghanistan prepares to face tough competition in the Asia Cup.
Sharafuddin Ashraf, another name from the past, has also made a comeback to the squad after almost a year. His return highlights the selectors’ focus on bolstering the team’s all-round capabilities.
The Afghanistan squad features a mix of seasoned players and young talents. Key players like Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, and Mohammad Nabi will provide stability and leadership on the field. The ever-impressive Rashid Khan’s presence will lend strength to both batting and bowling departments.
Gulbadin Naib, who filled in for the injured Azmatullah Omarzai in the recent ODI series against Pakistan, continues to hold his spot in the team. Naib’s all-round abilities will be crucial for Afghanistan’s campaign in the Asia Cup.
The squad announcement follows Afghanistan’s challenging ODI series against Pakistan, where they faced a 0-3 defeat. The Asia Cup presents a vital opportunity for Afghanistan to regroup, fine-tune their strategies, and build momentum ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, set to begin shortly after the Asia Cup.
With a balanced mix of experienced campaigners and rising stars, Afghanistan enters the Asia Cup 2023 aiming to make their presence felt on the international stage and pave the way for a successful Cricket World Cup campaign.
Afghanistan Squad
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Abdul Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Fazalhaq Farooqi
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