NEW DELHI: Premier leg-spinner Rashid Khan was on Saturday selected in a 19-member Afghanistan squad, captained by young Ibrahim Zadran, for the upcoming three T20 Internationals against India, scheduled to commence on January 11 in Mohali.
While Rashid, the regular T20I captain, has been included in the squad, there is uncertainty about his participation in any game as he is currently recovering from a recent back surgery.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who was absent from the recent three-match T20I series against UAE, makes a return to the squad to face India, as per a press release issued by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
Ikram Alikhil, previously among the reserves against the UAE, has been elevated to the main squad to serve as the backup wicketkeeper-batsman.
Meanwhile Zadran, who led Afghanistan to a 2-1 series victory against the UAE in Sharjah, will continue to lead the side against India as well.
ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf said: “We are delighted to be embarking on our maiden tour to India for a three-match series.
“India is the top-ranked side in the world and it’s very pleasing to witness AfghanAtalan competing in a three-match T20I against them.
“We believe that AfghanAtalan are no longer underdogs and have excelled well in the recent past and we look forward to a highly competitive series against India.”
Afghanistan’s T20I squad: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmaullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem, Qais Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan.
(With PTI Inputs)
While Rashid, the regular T20I captain, has been included in the squad, there is uncertainty about his participation in any game as he is currently recovering from a recent back surgery.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who was absent from the recent three-match T20I series against UAE, makes a return to the squad to face India, as per a press release issued by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
Ikram Alikhil, previously among the reserves against the UAE, has been elevated to the main squad to serve as the backup wicketkeeper-batsman.
Meanwhile Zadran, who led Afghanistan to a 2-1 series victory against the UAE in Sharjah, will continue to lead the side against India as well.
ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf said: “We are delighted to be embarking on our maiden tour to India for a three-match series.
“India is the top-ranked side in the world and it’s very pleasing to witness AfghanAtalan competing in a three-match T20I against them.
“We believe that AfghanAtalan are no longer underdogs and have excelled well in the recent past and we look forward to a highly competitive series against India.”
Afghanistan’s T20I squad: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmaullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem, Qais Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan.
(With PTI Inputs)
