Afghanistan Announces 16-Man Squad for the Historic Test against India

Afghanistan Cricket Board (AFG) has announced their 16-member squad for the upcoming one-off Test series against India starting from June 14 in Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, this will be their debut Test after earning the Test status last year in June.

However, Afghanistan are going with three spinners in the form of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Zahir Khan.

Both Mujeeb and Rashid have experience behind their back playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2018). On the other hand, Zahir is coming back from an injury that ruled him out from an IPL stint.

Zahir aside, fast bowler Wafadar is yet to make their debut in the international circuit. Afghanistan, however, will miss the services of experienced fast bowler Dawlat Zadran because of a knee injury.

The second-most capped player, Asghar Stanikzai will lead the side against India. This side has shown a lot of prospect in the white-ball cricket and will be interesting to see how they fair in Test cricket.

Afghanistan’s preliminary squad has just concluded a set of practice matches in Greater Noida, following which the squad was named by the chief selector and former captain Nawroz Mangal.

Squad: Asghar Stanikzai (C), Mohammad Shahzad, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Ihsanullah Rahmat, Nasir Jamal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afar Zazai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Zahir Khan, Hamza Hotak, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Wafadar, Mujeeb ur Rahman

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