The selection committee of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has revealed the country’s 18-man team for the forthcoming three-match Twenty20 International Series against the United Arab Emirates. It is noteworthy that there will be three Twenty20 international matches between the two teams. The first match is set to commence on Friday, December 29, and the third T20I is set to start on January 2.
Many fans were quick to point out that star all-rounder Rashid Khan was missing from the squad when the three-game series’ lineup was announced. As he continues to heal from a recent back surgery, the standout player will be absent. Opening batsman Ibrahim Zadran was declared to be captain for the three-game series in Rashid’s absence.
Also, in light of the recent restrictions imposed on them, individuals like Fazal Haq Farooqi and Naveen Ul Haq have been included. After achieving their best-ever result in the ODI World Cup 2023, the team will be entering the series with confidence. The team put up outstanding performances and created numerous upsets in the main event, but they were unable to advance to the tournament’s knockout stages.
Rashid Khan is still unsure about his India tour, and Afghanistan will face off against the surging UAE side.
Afghanistan may encounter some difficulties in their matchup with the UAE due to Rashid Khan’s absence, but this does not imply that the team is devoid of star power; on the contrary, Afghanistan will enter the series as the overwhelming favorites.
Additionally, in January 2024, the team will play the Indian team in a Twenty20 International series following their series against the United Arab Emirates. When the team plays the Men in Blue, they will be hoping that Rashid Khan can be back in the lineup by then.
Entire team:
Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Mohammad Ishaq (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Darwish Rasooli, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmaullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem and Qais Ahmad.
Reserves: Rashid Khan, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Ikram Alikhil and Gulbadin Naib have been included in the squad as reserves.
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