Left-handed batter Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the Afghanistan squad in their upcoming one-off Test and three-match ODI series against India, scheduled from June 6 to June 20.
While the ODI setup heavily leans on seasoned white-ball stars, the Test squad combines emerging prospects with experienced mainstays.
Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz form the core of the Test batting lineup. The wicketkeeping duties are shared between Afsar Zazai and Ikram Alikhil. The bowling attack has variety of options, with Sharafudin Ashraf and Qais Ahmad taking care of the spin department, alongside a pace attack spearheaded by Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi, and Saleem Safi.
Interestingly, Afghanistan have opted for a slightly different combination in the ODI setup, bringing back proven performers Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan for the white-ball leg of the tour.
Young opener Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli strengthen the batting unit, while AM Ghazanfar and Bilal Sami add depth to the bowling attack.
Young spinner Ghazanfar was rewarded for his impressive show in the IPL. Playing for Mumbai Indians, he bagged 15 scalps in 11 games.
Afghanistan tour of India begins with a one-off Test in New Chandigarh (June 6–10), followed by the ODI series across Dharamsala (June 14), Lucknow (June 17), and Chennai (June 20).
Afghanistan squad for one-off Test: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmanullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafudin Ashraf, Nangyal Kharotai, Qais Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi, Saleem Safi.
Reserve Pool: Bashir Ahmad, Bahir Shah, Ismat Alam
Afghanistan Squad for the ODI series: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharotai, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Malik, Bilal Sami.
Reserve Pool: Qais Ahmad, Saleem Safi, Bashir Ahmad
