Afghanistan Strengthen Squad Ahead of Bangladesh ODIs
Afghanistan continues to build on its momentum as the team prepares for a pivotal ODI series against Bangladesh this November, bolstered by the addition of two players who are set to make an impact. Following their historic win against South Africa in Sharjah last month, the team will face the Bangladeshi side in three ODIs beginning from November 6.
The Afghanistan cricket team gearing up for their next challenge.
New Faces in the Lineup
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has named a 19-member squad, welcoming Riaz Hassan and left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad to tighten their grip on the roster. This decision comes as key players Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are still nursing injuries, with Zadran recovering from ankle surgery and Ur Rahman sidelined due to a hand injury.
Ahmad has been a standout performer, earning the Player of the Series in the Caribbean Premier League after taking a staggering 22 wickets for the St Lucia Kings. Meanwhile, Atal is coming off a stellar performance at the Emerging Teams Asia Cup T20 tournament, where he notched impressive innings of 52, 95 not out, and 83. His inclusion invigorates the top order with consistent scoring capabilities.
Insight from the Chief Selector
Afghanistan’s chief selector, Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, elaborated on the squad composition:
“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.”
Noor Ahmad showcases his bowling skills.
Looking Ahead
These ODIs serve as crucial groundwork leading up to the Champions Trophy set for February 2025. Afghanistan will aim to replicate their success from the recent series against South Africa, where they achieved their first series win against a top-five ranked team in the ICC rankings. The upcoming matches against Bangladesh promise exciting cricket as Afghanistan seeks to expand on their success and develop a competitive edge.
Afghanistan’s Squad for the Bangladesh ODIs
The selected squad features a mix of seasoned professionals and emerging talents:
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt)
- Rahmat Shah (vice-capt)
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
- Ikram Alikhil (wk)
- 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.
Afghanistan players undergo a training session in Sharjah.
ODI Series Schedule
The fixtures for the ODI series are as follows:
- 1st ODI: November 6, Sharjah
- 2nd ODI: November 9, Sharjah
- 3rd ODI: November 11, Sharjah
As Afghanistan approaches the series, the expectations are high, and the players are focused on delivering another remarkable performance on the international stage. With new additions to the squad, the team’s strategy and execution will be pivotal.
In the coming weeks, fans will be eager to see how these changes will influence the outcomes against Bangladesh. The series promises thrilling encounters as Afghanistan looks to strengthen their position in international cricket.
