The Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced a 19-member squad for the ODI series against Bangladesh, featuring Emerging Teams Asia Cup star Sediqullah Atal. Key players Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are unavailable due to injuries. The series begins on November 6 in Sharjah. ACB officials expressed optimism for the team’s performance.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially announced a 19-member squad for the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh, which is set to consist of three matches. Notably, Sediqullah Atal, a 23-year-old opener who made a significant impact during the Emerging Teams Asia Cup, has been included in this squad alongside Noor Ahmad. The ACB has made strategic additions to the lineup that triumphed against South Africa in a recent ODI series, securing victory by 2-1 in Sharjah. However, Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman will not participate due to health concerns; Ibrahim is recovering from ankle surgery, while Mujeeb is still dealing with a right phalanx sprain. Chief Selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil elaborated on the situation, stating, “Ibrahim Zadran is currently undergoing rehabilitation and continues to recover from the surgery he recently had. Mujeeb Ur Rahman also remains unavailable due to ongoing treatment. However, Noor Ahmad is back in the squad, and we have included a promising top-order batter in Sediqullah Atal, who has impressed everyone with his consistent top performances.” Additionally, ACB CEO Naseeb Khan reflected on the achievements of the Afghanistan cricket team in 2024, emphasizing the significance of ODI cricket as they prepare for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. He remarked, “Playing against Bangladesh has always been challenging and full of joy. I believe the group of players selected for this series will perform exceptionally well and bring more glory to our nation.” The ODI series is scheduled to commence on November 6, with subsequent matches on November 9 and November 11, all taking place in Sharjah. The finalized Afghanistan squad features the following players: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah (vice-captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad Malik.
The announcement of the Afghanistan ODI squad comes in the context of their recent successes in international cricket, particularly highlighted by their performance against South Africa. The inclusion of young talents such as Sediqullah Atal signifies the ACB’s commitment to nurturing emerging players. The squad selection reflects a strategic approach, taking into account player fitness and rehabilitation, particularly concerning Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The upcoming series against Bangladesh is viewed as a critical opportunity for the Afghan team to continue building on their momentum as they prepare for future competitions, including the ICC Champions Trophy.
In summary, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has selected a competitive squad for the ODI series against Bangladesh, featuring notable young talents while managing the absence of key players due to injuries. The leadership comments from both the chief selector and the CEO highlight the strategic importance of this series in the broader context of Afghanistan’s preparations for international cricket. The squad’s performance could further establish Afghanistan’s status in the cricketing world as they strive for excellence in upcoming tournaments.
Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com
