For the three-match ODI series against Pakistan in Sri Lanka, which will be contested from August 22–26, 2023, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced an 18-member squad. The series will serve as a warm-up for the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup in India and the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.
Mohammad Saleem Safi and Wafadar Momand, two fast bowlers who recently helped Afghanistan win a 2-1 ODI series in Bangladesh, are still on the team. Izharulhaq Naveed and Zia ur Rahman, two uncapped legspinners who made their debuts in the Bangladesh series, were left off the roster. Noor Ahmad, who had a good IPL season, returned to the team in contrast.
Considering ACB chief selector Asadullah Khan’s earlier statement to Cricbuzz that they were done experimenting and that the selected squad would reflect the team that would travel for the World Cup, Noor Ahmad’s inclusion in the Asia Cup suggests that he is in the running for the World Cup.
Left-arm quick bowler Farid Ahmad Malik and left-handed batter Shahidullah Kamal make up the team’s two reserves.
Asadullah Khan, the chief selector for the ACB, emphasised that this series served as an excellent warm-up for the important ODI matches that would take place in the coming weeks. The team was thoroughly prepared with a controlled camp in Kabul and a conditioning camp before the Pakistan series.
The team’s preparation for the forthcoming two major competitions, the Asia Cup and the World Cup 2023, is our sole focus, according to ACB chief selector Asadullah Khan. This three-match ODI series against Pakistan gives us a great chance to get the team ready for the following two competitions.
The players have recently performed well in the Kabul Camp, which has been watched over by ACB’s HPC staff. The Pakistan series preparations are going well. In addition, the team will participate in a week-long conditioning programme before the Pakistan Series.
Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ah
