In preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup in India, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced an 18-member squad for the three-match ODI series against Pakistan in Sri Lanka. The series is scheduled to take place from August 22 to 26, 2023.
Following a successful ODI series in Bangladesh, fast bowlers Mohammad Saleem Safi and Wafadar Momand have retained their spots in the squad. However, left-arm spinner Zia ur Rahman, who made his debut in the Bangladesh series, was omitted, along with uncapped leg-spinner Izharulhaq Naveed. The notable inclusion in the squad is Noor Ahmad, who made a strong comeback after an impressive IPL campaign.
ACB chief selector Asadullah Khan had earlier stated that the squad selected for the Asia Cup would likely reflect the team traveling to the World Cup. Therefore, Noor Ahmad’s inclusion in the squad indicates that he is being considered for the prestigious World Cup tournament.
In addition to the primary squad, the two reserve players selected are left-arm quick bowler Farid Ahmad Malik and left-handed batsman Shahidullah Kamal.
ACB Chief Selector said
Speaking about the series against Pakistan, ACB chief selector Asadullah Khan emphasized the importance of this preparation ahead of the two significant ODI events. The Afghanistan team has been undergoing rigorous training with a supervised camp in Kabul, followed by a conditioning camp in preparation for the Pakistan series.
“Our whole concentration is to prepare the team for the upcoming two big events of Asia Cup and the World Cup 2023,” stated Asadullah Khan. “This three-match ODI series against Pakistan provides us with a wonderful opportunity to prepare the team for the forthcoming two events.”
He further added, “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.”
The Afghanistan squad will be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, and it includes talented players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, and the iconic all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, among others.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the action-packed ODI series, which will not only set the stage for the Asia Cup but also play a crucial role in finalizing Afghanistan’s squad for the highly anticipated 2023 ODI World Cup. With Noor Ahmad’s resurgence and the team’s focused preparations, expectations are high for Afghanistan’s performance in these upcoming tournaments.
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