Afghanistan announces squads for the upcoming white-ball tour of Zimbabwe, featuring three T20Is and ODIs. Young batsman Zubaid Akbari receives his first T20I call-up, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman returns after injury. The series, starting on December 11, aims to blend youth and experience, as Afghanistan looks to repeat past successes in Zimbabwe.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has revealed the national teams for their upcoming white-ball series against Zimbabwe, comprising three T20 Internationals and three One Day Internationals, scheduled to commence on December 11 in Harare. Zubaid Akbari, a promising left-handed batsman, earns his first call-up to the T20 squad after notable domestic performances. Darwish Rasooli also makes a return after leading Afghanistan A to victory in the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Asia Cup earlier this year.
Despite the absence of seasoned batsman Ibrahim Zadran, who is still in recovery from ankle surgery, the ACB is pleased to announce that spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman has fully healed from his injury and will participate in both formats. ACB CEO Naseeb Khan expressed pride in the three formats of cricket that the AfghanAtalan will undertake in Zimbabwe, highlighting their successful year in 2024 with key matches and achievements.
Ahmad Shah, the ACB Interim Chief Selector, emphasized Mujeeb’s importance and praised the form of Akbari and Rasooli in domestic leagues and the Emerging Teams Cup. The revised schedule pushes T20 matches to now run from December 11 to December 14 and ODIs from December 17 to 21, all set in Harare Sports Club.
The T20I squad will be captained by Rashid Khan, while Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead in the ODIs. The teams reflect a blend of experience and youth aiming to capitalize on past performances in Zimbabwe, an environment where they historically excel.
Afghanistan’s cricketing framework has seen significant growth, with the national team participating in various international formats. The ACB aims to build a robust team capable of competing on the global stage with a systematic approach towards nurturing talent. This tour against Zimbabwe serves as a critical platform for emerging players while providing experienced members a chance to refine their skills. The selection of squads for these upcoming fixtures demonstrates ACB’s strategy to balance seasoned players and promising newcomers.
In conclusion, Afghanistan’s upcoming white-ball tour of Zimbabwe marks a significant opportunity for the national squad to showcase their talent and continue building their cricket legacy. The inclusion of new talents like Zubaid Akbari and the return of seasoned players like Mujeeb Ur Rahman reflects the team’s commitment to growth. As they prepare for competitive matches on foreign soil, the ACB remains optimistic about their performances and the potential to impress cricket fans worldwide.
Original Source: www.ariananews.af
