Afghanistan announce 18-member squad for ODI series against Pakistan, Noor Ahmad returns

Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2018. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Afghanistan announced an 18-member squad on Sunday, August 06 for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan to be played in Sri Lanka. Left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad has made a comeback to the team as Afghanistan look to finalize their team combination ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 in India beginning from October 05.

Left-arm spinner Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, who recently made his ODI debut against Bangladesh has been left out along with uncapped leg-spinner Izharulhaq Naveed who was part of the Test squad. On the other hand, Seamers Mohammad Saleem Safi and Wafadar Momand, who were part of the recent Bangladesh ODI series, have retained their spots.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) Chief Selector Asadullah Khan stated that their main concentration is to prepare the team for the upcoming two events Asia Cup and World Cup 2023 and the series against Pakistan would be the perfect opportunity to do so.

“Our whole concentration is to prepare the team for the upcoming two big events of Asia Cup and the World Cup 2023. This three-match ODI series against Pakistan provides us with a wonderful opportunity to prepare the team for the forthcoming two events,” Khan was quoted as saying by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Khan further revealed that the team will undergo a week-long conditioning camp ahead of the series.

“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,” he added.

Three ODIs to be played across Hambantota and Colombo

Notably, the three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Pakistan will begin from Tuesday, August 22 at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota. The second ODI will also be played at the same venue on August 24, while the third ODI will be played at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Following the ODI series, the two teams will compete in the Asia Cup 2023 which will be jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30.

Afghanistan ODI squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Saleem Safi and Wafadar Momand.

Reserves: Farid Ahmad Malik and Shahidullah Kamal.