Prolific opener makes a comeback from harm however spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman misses out as he recovers from hand sprain.
Afghanistan have recalled fit-again batter Ibrahim Zadran to their ICC Champions Trophy squad, amid ongoing requires groups to boycott matches towards them because of the Taliban authorities’s crackdown on ladies’s rights since returning to energy in 2021.
Opener Zadran has recovered from ankle surgical procedure to make the 15-man squad named by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday.
Proper-arm spin bowler Mujeeb Ur Rehman was not included within the lineup because the crew administration determined towards dashing him again into 50-overs cricket after he sprained his hand final yr.
Fellow spinner AM Ghaznafar has been drafted in as a like-for-like alternative for Mujeeb. Quick-rising opener Sediqullah Atal additionally secured a spot within the squad.
“Zadran, who was away from motion resulting from an ankle harm, has returned to the squad,” mentioned a press release from the ACB.
“Nonetheless, Mujeeb Ur Rahman misses out on the choice, as AM Ghazanfar, the same thriller spinner, has made the lower for the mega occasion.”
Rahman was disregarded as a result of “he has been suggested by his physician to deal with T20s for some time to make sure his full restoration”, added appearing ACB chief selector Ahmad Suliman Khil.
Afghanistan have made spectacular runs at ICC’s world occasions in recent times – ending sixth within the 50-over World Cup in 2023 and reaching the semifinal within the T20 World Cup 2024.
This would be the first time Afghanistan take part within the eight-nation Champions Trophy, staged between February 19 and March 9 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
The nation has introduced in former Pakistan captain Younis Khan to mentor the aspect.
“Afghanistan have carried out exceptionally properly prior to now two ICC occasions,” the chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board mentioned in a press release.
“Their spectacular performances in these two occasions coupled with their ODI collection victories final yr will undoubtedly enhance their morale and assist them ship a good higher marketing campaign this time,” ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf mentioned.
The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led aspect could also be confronted with some off-field distractions in Pakistan with Group B rivals England and South Africa being urged to boycott their matches.
Each the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket South Africa have dominated out boycotts towards Afghanistan in multi-team competitions organised by the governing Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC).
They’d reasonably comply with a unified and collective method from all ICC members, the boards mentioned.
Afghanistan start their marketing campaign towards South Africa in Karachi on February 21.
Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad Malik
