Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), on August 16, announced the Afghanistan 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 which begins on August 27 in the UAE. Mohammad Nabi, the experienced all-rounder has been named captain of the team.
Najibullah Zadran has been named vice-captain of the squad. Samiullah Shinwari returns to the squad, replacing Sharafuddin Ashraf who is part of the squad in the Ireland series. Left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad is back in the squad along with Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan.
All-rounder Gulbadin Naib, who also played in last year’s T20 World Cup, has been one of the notable omissions from the squad.
Afghanistan also named three reserve players in Nijat Masoud, Qais Ahmad, and Sharafuddin Ashraf.
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Afghanistan will begin their campaign in Group B against Sri Lanka on August 27 before they face Bangladesh on August 30. The top 2 teams from each of the 2 groups will qualify for the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup.
Explaining the selection calls, chief selector Noor Malikzai said: “The Asia Cup is an important event for us and, as such, we have picked our best available players for the event. Samiullah Shinwari has been added to the side for the Asia Cup. He is in very good form and can give further impetus to the batting department, which already boasts Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi.
Shinwari has not played any international match since March 2020, but he has done well in the recently held Shpageeza Cricket League 2022 and demonstrated that he is a good option to strengthen our middle order."
Afghanistan Squad for Asia Cup 2022:
Mohammad Nabi (C), Najibullah Zadran (VC), Afsar Zazai (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Mujib ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Naveen ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Rashid Khan and Samiullah Shinwari.
