Hashmatullah Shahidi to lead Afghanistan squad for multi-format India tour
Kabul, May 26
Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead Afghanistan in both the ODI series and the one-off Test against India, with the Afghanistan Cricket Board unveiling strong squads for the upcoming multi-format tour. The ACB on Monday revealed two separate 15-man squads, one each for the ODI series and the one-off Test match, with Shahidi continuing as the skipper in both formats.
Stars like Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi, and Azmatullah Omarzai feature heavily in the visiting side for a prestigious series against India.
The ODI squad retains a lot of the tried and tested white-ball players, with Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran expected to open the innings. Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, and Darwish Rasooli are expected to provide the stability in the middle order, while all-rounders Nabi and Omarzai give the side an all-round balance.
The bowling attack is again expected to be centred around Rashid Khan, with young spinner AM Ghazanfar and pacers Bilal Sami, Fareed Malik, and Zia-ur-Rahman Sharifi also included. Nangyal Kharotai also makes it to the squad, while Qais Ahmad, Saleem Safi, and Bashir Ahmad are named as reserves.
For the one-off Test, the Afghanistan side has opted for a slightly different selection with Abdul Malik, Rahmanullah Zadran, and Sharafudin Ashraf coming into the red-ball squad. Stalwarts like Rahmat Shah and Gurbaz retain their places while Ikram Alikhil and Afsar Zazai have been picked as keepers.
Rashid Khan has not been included in the Test squad, with Afghanistan preferring spinners such as Qais Ahmad and Nangyal Kharotai, along with Sharafudin Ashraf.
India's home series against Afghanistan will begin with a one-off Test in New Chandigarh from June 6 to 10 before the action shifts to the 50-over format. The three-match ODI series will then be played across Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Chennai on June 13, 17, and 20, respectively, with Hashmatullah Shahidi set to lead Afghanistan in both formats.
Afghanistan ODI squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharotai, AM Ghazanfar, Zia-ur-Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Malik, and Bilal Sami.
Reserves: Qais Ahmad, Saleem Safi, and Bashir Ahmad.
Afghanistan Test squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmanullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafudin Ashraf, Nangyal Kharotai, Qais Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi, and Saleem Safi.
Reserves: Bashir Ahmad, Bahir Shah, and Ismat Alam.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Interesting that Rashid Khan is not in Test squad. Maybe they're managing his workload? But their Test team still looks competitive with Qais Ahmad and Nangyal Kharotai. Will be a good series for Indian team to test bench strength. 🇮🇳
Afghanistan cricket has come a long way. Remember when they were minnows? Now they have world-class spinners and reliable batsmen. The multi-format tour is great for their development. Hope India gives them good competition and not just one-sided matches.
Nice to see Dharamsala as one of the venues for ODIs! That ground is beautiful. But I'm a bit concerned about security arrangements given Afghanistan team's history. Hope BCCI takes all precautions. 🙏
Honestly, I hope India doesn't take them lightly. Afghanistan almost beat us in the 2023 WC. Their bowling lineup with Rashid, Nabi, and Omarzai is dangerous. Should be an entertaining series!
Excited for the Test match in New Chandigarh! New venue should be interesting. But I wish BCCI had scheduled more matches - only one Test and three ODIs feels a bit short for a proper series. Still, any cricket is good cricket! 🏏
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