Afghanistan Announces ODI Squad for Series Against Bangladesh

Afghanistan has announced their ODI squad for the series against Bangladesh in November 2024. Key players Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are absent due to injuries. Sediqullah Atal replaces Zadran, and Noor Ahmad returns to reinforce the spin department. ACB CEO Naseeb Khan underscores the significance of ODI cricket in light of the ICC Champions Trophy.

Afghanistan has announced their squad for the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh, set to take place in November 2024. The team will be without prominent players Ibrahim Zadran, who is recovering from recent ankle surgery, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who is unavailable due to a finger injury. To compensate for Zadran’s absence, left-handed batter Sediqullah Atal has been selected. Atal is currently making a name for himself as he leads the run-scoring charts in the Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, having played six T20 Internationals to date. In an effort to bolster their spin options, Afghanistan has also recalled Noor Ahmad, who missed the ODI series against South Africa earlier this year. The remaining members of the squad are unchanged from the successful lineup that secured a 2-1 series victory against South Africa in Sharjah. Naseeb Khan, the Chief Executive Officer of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, emphasized the series’ importance, noting, “ODI cricket remains a top priority as we prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy.” The fixtures for the ODI series are as follows: – 1st ODI: November 6, 2024, Sharjah, UAE – 2nd ODI: November 9, 2024, Sharjah, UAE – 3rd ODI: November 11, 2024, Sharjah, UAE The full Afghanistan ODI squad includes: Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Rahmat Shah (Vice-Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicket-Keeper), Ikram Alikhil (Wicket-Keeper), Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran, and Farid Ahmad Malik.

The announcement regarding Afghanistan’s ODI squad is significant as it precedes a crucial series against Bangladesh, one that will serve as preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy. The absence of key players due to injuries has necessitated adjustments to the team, with young and emerging talents being introduced to the squad. The emphasis on ODI cricket illustrates Afghanistan’s commitment to improving their performance on the international stage, particularly in the face of upcoming prestigious tournaments.

In summary, Afghanistan’s ODI squad for the series against Bangladesh reflects strategic planning with recent injuries taken into consideration. The inclusion of emerging players illustrates the country’s efforts to build a robust team capable of competing at higher levels. The series itself is poised to garner attention as it functions as a preparatory ground leading up to the ICC Champions Trophy.

Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com