Mohammad Shahzad inducted into Afghanistan squad for Zimbabwe limited-overs series

The explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad has been picked for the limited-overs’ series against Zimbabwe as his ban is coming to an end on Wednesday (January 17).

The 29-year-old Shahzad was handed a one-year ban after he was found positive for clenbuterol in January 2016 which clearly violates the anti-doping breach after being considered as the substance which is forbidden and listed on the WADA’s prohibited list.

The series will be held in February in the United Arab Emirates.

The two-match T20 series will kick off on February 5 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah and the first of the five-match ODI series will commence from February 9 at the same venue and the series will culminate on February 19.

Moreover, it would be the first assignment for newly-appointed Afghanistan chief coach Phil Simmons, as the squad will be lead by Asghar Stanikzai.

The teenage sensation Rashid Khan, who is representing Adelaide Strikers under the leadership of Travis Head has been in wondrous form with the ball and has subsequently entertained the crowd in the ongoing seventh edition of the Big Bash League (BBL).

On the other side, all-rounder Samiullah Shinwari has found the spot in both squads.

It becomes pertinent that, Shinwari was not part of the ODI series in December against Ireland.

Fast bowler in the form of Hamid Hassan has made a return to the shortest version of the game after little over 22 months.

Known for impressive bowling Dawlat Zadran was able to be the part of 50-over format only.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced the 15-man ODI squad which includes as many as four reserve players.

However, the Board has also named 15-member Twenty20 International squad which does not include any reserve player.

Here’s the list of detailed squad announced by the ACB:

Afghanistan ODI squad: Asghar Stanikzai (Skipper), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Javed Ahmadi, Ihsanullah Janat, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Samiullah Shenwari, Nasir Jamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Zadran, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran.

List of reserve players: Noor Ali Zadran, Karim Janat, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Afsar Zazai.

Afghanistan T20I squad: Asghar Stanikzai (Skipper), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Usman Ghani, Karim Sadiq, Najibullah Zadran, Shafiqullah, Samiullah Shenwari, Aftab Alam, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Zadran, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zadran.

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