Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman remain unavailable as Afghanistan announce 16-member squad for Ireland Series

Afghanistan will be without the services of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the three-match ODI series against Ireland. Rashid Khan, who is recovering from back surgery, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (right phalanx sprain), remain unavailable for selection.

Rashid Khan has been out of competitive cricket since November 2023 due to lower back surgery. Recently, he was seen attending Anant Ambani’s pre-wedding celebration in Jamnagar. Meanwhile, Mujeeb Ur Rahman sustained a right phalanx sprain in February.

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Afghanistan Cricket Board Announces 16-Member Squad

On March 1, the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) National Selection Committee named a 16-member squad for the upcoming series. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar earned his maiden call-up to the national team after his impressive performance in the U19 World Cup 2024.

All-rounder Nangeyalia Kharote also received his first senior team call-up. Kharote has an impressive average of 54.75 with the bat and 19.07 with the ball in 18 List A matches. Bilal Sami, who was part of the reserves against Sri Lanka, has been promoted to the squad.

Sami’s inclusion offers him the opportunity for an international debut following his standout performances in List A cricket, where he has claimed 23 wickets with an average of 21.60 and an economy rate of 6.21 in 10 matches. Wrist-spinner Qais Ahmad, who encountered difficulties in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, has been moved to the reserves.

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Rashid Khan And Mujeeb Ur Rahman Are Unavailable For Selection – ACB Chief selector

ACB chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil confirmed that Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are still recovering from injuries and won’t be available for selection. Ahmad Shah stated that Mohammad Ghazanfar will fill in for Mujeeb Ur Rahman against Ireland.

“Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman continue to recover from their respective injuries and are unavailable for selection,” Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said in a statement.

“However, we have included some of the top-performing youngsters in Nangyal Kharoti and Bilal Sami. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar is a very talented cricketer and has demonstrated excellent skills during the U19 World Cup. He will provide cover in Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s in the ODI series against Ireland.”

Afghanistan suffered a six-wicket loss to the Andrew Balbirnie-led Ireland side in their one-off Test match on Friday, March 1. The Afghanistan team will be hoping to bounce back and deliver in the upcoming ODI series against Ireland, scheduled to commence on March 7.

The first ODI match between Afghanistan and Ireland is scheduled to take place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on Thursday, March 7. The remaining two matches of the series will also be held at the same venue on March 9 and March 12, respectively.

Afghanistan ODI Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Nangyal Kharoti, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.

Reserves: Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Shahidullah Kamal and Qais Ahmad.

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