The Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced the teams for the Zimbabwe tour, including T20Is and ODIs starting December 11. Zubaid Akbari earns his first T20I call-up, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman returns from injury. The match schedule has been revised for better spectator access. ACB officials express optimism for the upcoming series, emphasizing a blend of young talent and experienced players.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially announced the squads for the white-ball segment of the Zimbabwe tour, which will commence on December 11 in Harare. This tour encompasses three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and three One Day Internationals (ODIs). Promising left-handed batter Zubaid Akbari receives his first call-up to the T20I squad, showcasing his remarkable performances in domestic cricket and contributions to Afghanistan A’s triumph in the Emerging Asia Cup. Darwish Rasooli also returns following an impressive domestic season, having led Afghanistan A to victory in the same tournament earlier this year.
Although prolific top-order batter Ibrahim Zadran continues to recover from ankle surgery, the squad welcomes back frontline spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who has recovered from injury. ACB CEO Naseeb Khan emphasized the successful and busy nature of 2024 for ACB and the Afghanistan A team, expressing optimism for the upcoming Zimbabwe series. Interim Chief Selector Ahmad Shah echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of Mujeeb’s return and the consistency of the selected players.
The T20I squad features notable players such as Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Mohammad Nabi, while the ODI squad is led by Hashmatullah Shahidi with Rahmat Shah as vice-captain. Changes to the schedule have been implemented to enhance spectator attendance, moving matches to more favorable dates. The T20I series will now take place on December 11, 13, and 14, followed by ODIs on December 17, 19, and 21, all at Harare Sports Club.
The announcement of the Afghanistan national cricket team squads for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour reflects the ACB’s ongoing commitment to enhance the team’s competitive edge in white-ball formats. With a mix of experienced players and emerging talent like Zubaid Akbari, the ACB seeks to build a squad with both depth and skill. The timing of this tour is crucial for the players, providing them an essential platform for performance amidst a busy cricketing calendar. Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s return from injury is a significant boost for the team, bolstering their bowling options for the tours ahead. The adjusted match schedule showcases ACB’s focus on maximizing fan engagement and attendance, indicative of a progressive approach to promoting the sport within Afghanistan.
The selection of Afghanistan’s squads for the white-ball tour of Zimbabwe reflects both a strategic focus on developing new talent and the reinforcement of key players returning from injury. With the T20I matches set to begin on December 11 and concluding with the ODIs later in the month, fans anticipate an impactful series fitting into a broader context of extensive cricketing activities planned for 2024. The adjustments made to match dates highlight ACB’s dedication to enhancing the spectator experience, reinforcing their commitment to fostering cricket in Afghanistan.
Original Source: www.ariananews.af
