Afghanistan unveil spin-packed squad for Sri Lanka ODIs

KABUL: Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Monday, unveiled a spin-packed 15-member squad for the three-match away ODI series against Sri Lanka, scheduled from June 2 to 7.

According to the details, the Afghanistan side, under the leadership of Hashmatullah Shahidi, will have the services of their star spin trio – Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

The trio will be further assisted by fast-rising spinner Noor Ahmad in the upcoming ODI series which is stated to play a crucial role in the team’s preparations for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.

“We have selected a strong squad and it’s good to have a couple of young faces for the series with an aim to build up for the ICC Cricket World Cup,” Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Mirwais Ashraf said.

“We are looking for every possible opportunity to build a good combination of the team,” he added in a statement.

The squad also features 21-year-old uncapped pacer Abdul Rahman, who had a promising domestic season recently.

Furthermore, former skipper Gulbadin Naib, who led the side in the previous Men’s ODI World Cup 2019 in England, is among the four reserves for the away series.

Afghanistan Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Abdul Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Ahmad Malik

Reserves: Gulbadin Naib, Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia ur Rahman Akbar

Series Itinerary:

2nd June – First ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium
4th June – Second ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium
7th June – Third ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium

READ: Barcelona will ‘do everything possible’ to sign Lionel Messi: Laporta