SL vs AFG: Afghanistan Cricket Board Announces 18-member ODI Squad For Sri Lanka Tour

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), on Saturday (November 29) announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.

All the ODIs will be a part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League and are scheduled to be played from November 25 to November 30 in Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Hashmatullah Shahidi has been named the captain of the team while Rahmat Shah will act as his deputy. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Alikhail have been picked as wicket-keeper batters.

All-rounder Gulbadin Naib and left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad have also been recalled to the ODI team. Both were not part of the team that visited Zimbabwe for the white-ball series in June earlier this year.

The CEO of Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) Naseeb Khan opened up on the selection, stating they are delighted to see some young faces in the squad.

Naseeb also added how significant this series is going to be for them keeping the World Cup scenario in mind:

“The selectors have included some young faces for the series which is a good sign for us leading into the ICC Cricket World Cup next year. The series is vital for us in terms of our qualification for the mega event next year and I am sure the squad carries enough strength to do well when they get to the field,” ACB CEO Naseeb Khan, said in a press release.

Afghanistan’s ODI squad for Sri Lanka tour:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Azmatullah Omarzai, Farid Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Gulbadain Naib, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Najibullah Zadran, Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhail (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Mujib ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Rashid Khan, Riaz Hassan, Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia ur Rahman Akbar.