Afghanistan announces its squad for Asia Cup 2023; veterans Rahmat Shah and Karim Janat included

Afghanistan to play Bangladesh in Lahore on September 3 and Sri Lanka on September 5.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced its squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 and they will be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi in the tournament which begins on August 30 and will be played in a hybrid model in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Afghanistan has been placed in Group B with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, while Group A consists of India, Pakistan, and Nepal. Afghanistan will clash with Bangladesh in their first match in Lahore on September 3 and then will face Sri Lanka at the same venue on September 5.

Afghanistan is coming off a 0-3 ODI series loss to Pakistan in Sri Lanka and will look to bounce back strongly.

The usual names of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, and Ibrahim Alikhel have been included in the Asia Cup squad. Amongst the bowlers, Rashid Khan will be supported in the spin department by Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

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The pace department will have Gulbadin Naib, Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Saleem Safi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi taking charge.  

The ACB selection committee has recalled experienced all-rounder Karim Janat, excluding budding cricketer Azmatullah Omarzai, who recently suffered an injury during the Pakistan ODIs. 

The squad also sees the inclusions of Rahmat Shah and Najibullah Zadran, as well.

Afghanistan squad for Asia Cup 2023:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhel (WK), Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Abdul Rahman, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi and Fazalhaq Farooqi