Gulbadin Naib To Lead As Afghanistan Announce Squad For Asian Games 2023

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming Asian Games 2023. The tournament will be played in China from 27th September.

Senior all-rounder Gulbadin Naib has been named as the captain of the team. He has also been included in Afghanistan’s World Cup squad as a reserve player. Veteran keeper-batter Mohammad Shahzad has also been included in the team along with Karim Janat, who is not a part of the World Cup squad. 

Sediqullah Atal, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Qais Ahmad, and Afsar Zazai, who have represented Afghanistan in the senior team, were also named in the squad for the Asian Games 2023. Apart from some players, who were part of the ACC Men’s Emerging Asia Cup 2023, were also given opportunities. 

These include Noor Ali Zadran, Zubaid Akbari, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, and Shahidullah Kamal. The ACB has also named U19 middle-order batter Wafiullah Tarakhil in the team for the tournament. 

Here’s the Afghanistan squad for the Asian Games 2023: 

Gulbadin Naib (C), Mohammad Shahzad (VC & WK), Sediqullah Atal, Zubdaid Akbari, Noor Ali Zadran, Shahidullah Kamal, Afsar Zazai, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Karim Jannat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Nijat Masoud, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Qais Ahmad and Zahir Khan. 

Reserves:Nangyal Kharoti, Mohammad Ibrahim and Allah Noor Nasiri.

We are aiming to provide these players with multiple opportunities – Afghanistan chief selector 

ACB Chief Selector Mr. Asadullah Khan talked about the squad for the Asian Games 2023. He explained that they want to provide opportunities to players in the buildup of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. 

“We are aiming to provide these players with multiple opportunities to demonstrate their abilities on the international stage. This Asia Games event is also a good opportunity for them to do well and further groove for the higher level cricket. Our buildup has already been started for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and we are working to prepare a strong group of players for that event,” he said.

Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competitions Schedule:
October 3 – 4: Quarter Finals
October 6: Semi-Finals
October 7: Final