Exciting batter earns maiden call-up in Afghanistan's squad for Zimbabwe tour
Afghanistan have named its squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Zimbabwe, featuring three T20Is and as many ODIs.
Promising left-hand batter Zubaid Akbari receives his maiden T20I call-up after stellar domestic performances, as well as contributing to the country's glory at the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Asia Cup.
Darwish Rasooli returns to the T20I side following an impressive domestic season, having led Afghanistan to the title at the Emerging Asia Cup.
Star spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman too is back after recovering from a phalanx sprain and will feature in both formats.
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Star opener Ibrahim Zadran, however, remains unavailable as he continues recovery from ankle surgery.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan expressed confidence, saying “Afghanistan have a strong history in Zimbabwe, and we look forward to another memorable tour. The selected players are ready for the challenge.”
Interim Chief Selector Ahmad Shah praised the squad's depth and expressed his confidence. “Mujeeb’s return is vital. Zubaid Akbari and Darwish Rasooli have earned their spots and we wish them success,” said Ahmad.
Afghanistan’s last white-ball series saw them clinch the ODI series by a 2-1 margin against Bangladesh in Sharjah.
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T20I Squad: Rashid Khan (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Ishaq, Sediqullah Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Nabi, Darwish Rasooli, Zubaid Akbari, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Naveen Ul Haq.
ODI Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil, Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad Malik.
Fixtures:
1st T20I - Wednesday, 11 December
2nd T20I - Friday, 13 December
3rd T20I - Saturday, 14 December
1st ODI - Tuesday, 17 December
2nd ODI - Thursday, 19 December
3rd ODI - Saturday, 21 December
1st Test - 26 December to 30 December
2nd Test - 2 January to 6 January