The Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced a 19-player squad for the ODI series against Bangladesh. Sediqullah Atal, a promising 23-year-old from the Emerging Teams Asia Cup, is included in place of injured players Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The series begins on November 6 in Sharjah, with Afghanistan looking to build on their recent success.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially announced a 19-member squad for the forthcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh. Notably, the team includes 23-year-old Sediqullah Atal, a standout performer from the recent Emerging Teams Asia Cup. The ACB has made two significant additions to the squad that previously triumphed over South Africa in an ODI series held in Sharjah, where they secured victory by a margin of 2-1. Noor Ahmad and the promising opener Atal have been included, while Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman have not been selected due to injuries. Ibrahim is currently in recovery following ankle surgery, and Mujeeb is still undergoing treatment for a right phalanx sprain. ACB Chief Selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil elaborated on these absences, stating their conditions: “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 further emphasized the return of Noor Ahmad and praised Atal’s outstanding performance: “We have included a promising top-order batter in Sediqullah Atal, who has impressed everyone with his consistent top performances.” Additionally, ACB CEO Naseeb Khan conveyed optimism about the upcoming year, emphasizing that 2024 will be pivotal for the Afghan national team: “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.” Khan acknowledged the challenge posed by Bangladesh, remarking, “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 between Afghanistan and Bangladesh is set to commence on November 6, with subsequent matches scheduled for November 9 and 11, all taking place in Sharjah. The announced squad for Afghanistan is as follows: 1. Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain) 2. Rahmat Shah (vice-captain) 3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper) 4. Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper) 5. Abdul Malik 6. Riaz Hassan 7. Sediqullah Atal 8. Darwish Rasooli 9. Azmatullah Omarzai 10. Mohammad Nabi 11. Gulbadin Naib 12. Rashid Khan 13. Nangyal Kharoti 14. AM Ghazanfar 15. Noor Ahmad 16. Fazalhaq Farooqi 17. Bilal Sami 18. Naveed Zadran 19. Farid Ahmad Malik 20. Sediqullah Atal 21. Noor Ahmad.
This article discusses the recent announcement by the Afghanistan Cricket Board regarding their squad for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh. It highlights key players, injuries affecting the selection, and the strategic importance of ODI matches in preparation for future tournaments, including the ICC Champions Trophy. The mention of individual players’ conditions and overall team aspirations provides insight into the current state of cricket in Afghanistan and their competitive outlook.
The announcement of Afghanistan’s ODI squad marks an important phase for the national team as they prepare to face Bangladesh in November. With the inclusion of emerging talent such as Sediqullah Atal and the absence of injured players like Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the team aims to leverage recent successes and continue their growth in international cricket. The ACB’s focus on ODIs signals a strong commitment to achieving excellence as they approach significant tournaments, including the ICC Champions Trophy, in the near future.
Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com
