The Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced a 19-member squad for the ODI series against Bangladesh, featuring Emerging Teams Asia Cup star Sediqullah Atal. The team sees two changes, with Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman missing due to injury. The series begins on November 6 in Sharjah.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has recently announced a squad of 19 players for their forthcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh. Notably, the squad includes a promising young talent, Sediqullah Atal, who has made an impression during the Emerging Teams Asia Cup. The ACB has made two adjustments to the team that achieved a 2-1 series victory over South Africa in Sharjah last month, incorporating both Noor Ahmad and Atal into the lineup. Conversely, Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman will not participate; Zadran is still rehabilitating from recent ankle surgery, while Rahman is unfit due to a right phalanx sprain. Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, the chief selector of the ACB, commented on these absences, stating, “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.” He also expressed optimism regarding the new additions: “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.” In the lead-up to the series, ACB CEO Naseeb Khan remarked on the overall success of Afghanistan’s cricketing year in 2024, emphasizing the importance of white-ball cricket in their preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy. He stated, “The calendar year 2024 has been action-packed and quite successful for the ACB and the AfghanAtalan lineup, particularly in white-ball cricket. ODI cricket has been a top priority for us, as it helps us prepare the team for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. Playing against Bangladesh has always been challenging and full of joy. I believe the group of players selected for this series will perform exceptionally well and bring more glory to our nation.” The ODI series is set to commence on November 6, with subsequent matches scheduled for November 9 and 11, all to be held in Sharjah. The selected players for the ODI series against Bangladesh include: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah (vice-captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), 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, and Naveed Zadran.
This announcement from the Afghanistan Cricket Board is significant as it highlights the recent performance of the national team and their strategic focus on enhancing their squad strength ahead of vital international fixtures. The inclusion of a young talent from the Emerging Teams Asia Cup indicates the ACB’s commitment to nurturing new talent and integrating them into the national team setup. The absence of key players like Zadran and Rahman due to injuries underscores the challenges teams face while managing player health along with competitive performance. This series against Bangladesh will serve as an important platform for Afghanistan to demonstrate their capabilities and prepare for larger tournaments ahead.
In summary, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced a strong squad for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh, showcasing the integration of emerging talent alongside established players. The series serves as an opportunity for the Afghan team to build on their recent successes while addressing the temporary absences due to player injuries. As they prepare for this important series, the ACB remains optimistic about enhancing the team’s credentials in international ODI cricket, as they set their sights on future tournaments, including the ICC Champions Trophy.
Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com
