Afghanistan Announces T20I Squad for Sri Lanka Series Amidst Key Player Absences

Kabul (Kubha News): The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s National Selection Committee has put the finishing touches on the Afghan National Team’s lineup for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.

The highly anticipated series is slated to take place from February 17 to 21 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

In a notable development, Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s esteemed T20I captain, remains sidelined as he continues his recovery journey from a recent back surgery. This absence paves the way for Ibrahim Zadran, who successfully led the team in the preceding two T20I series held in the UAE and India, to once again take the reins against Sri Lanka.

According to ACB, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, a key figure in Afghanistan’s cricketing landscape, is also absent from the squad due to a hand injury sustained prior to the commencement of the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Adding to the list of absentees is Mohammad Saleem Safi, the fast bowler who contributed to the Afghanistan squad during the India tour but is sidelined due to a hamstring strain. Stepping in as his replacement is the returning Wafadar Momand, who receives a recall to bolster the squad against Sri Lanka.

Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, the Chief Selector, has set his sights on the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. “We have a keen focus on the upcoming T20 World Cup and aim to assemble a formidable blend of players encompassing both experienced veterans and promising newcomers. These series, alongside the forthcoming three T20Is against Ireland in March, present an excellent opportunity for us to assess our bench strength and solidify a competitive squad for the mega event.”

Naseeb Khan, CEO of ACB, underscores the importance of nurturing young talent within the national setup. “We are steadfast in our commitment to providing our budding cricketers with ample opportunities at the highest level to hone their skills. Building a robust bench strength remains a top priority for us, ensuring that we have reliable backups for our key players when the need arises, similar to the role Qais Ahmad is currently fulfilling in the absence of Rashid Khan.”

The Afghanistan Squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka includes Ibrahim Zadran (Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi (Wicketkeeper), Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Wafadar Momand, and Qais Ahmad.

Series Schedule: