The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Tuesday 16th August, announced their strong 17-men team for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022. The contingent will be led by veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi with the aid of deputy Najibullah Zadran.
The Asia Cup 2022 is scheduled to begin on August 27 with Afghanistan taking on Sri Lanka in the tournament opener in Dubai International Stadium.
All-rounder Samiullah Shinwari has replaced Sharafuddin Ashraf in the team which is the only change for Afghanistan. Sharafuddin Ashraf has been kept in the reserves for the tournament.
Notably, Samiullah Shinwari last featured in a T20I match in 2020. However, he has done well in the recently held domestic cricket leagues to make a comeback to the national side for the important Asia Cup 2022.
“The Asia Cup is an important event for us and, as such, we have picked our best available players for the event,” said Chief selector Noor Malikza. “Samiullah Shinwari has been added to the side for the Asia Cup. He is in very good form and can give further impetus to the batting department, which already boasts Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi. Shinwari has not played any international match since March 2020, but he has done well in the recently held Shpageeza Cricket League 2022 and demonstrated that he is a good option to strengthen our middle order.”
As of now, Afghanistan is on a tour of Ireland for five T20Is. The Asia Cup 2022-bound Afghanistan players will depart for the UAE after the completion of the Ireland tour.
Afghanistan’s Squad for Asia Cup 2022:
Mohammad Nabi (c), Najibullah Zadran (vc), Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Afsar Zazai (WK), Fazal Haq Farooqi, Farid Ahmad Malik, Hazratullah Zazai, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Karim Janat, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mujib ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen ul Haq, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)and Samiullah Shinwari.
Reserves: Nijat Masoud, Qais Ahmad, and Sharafuddin Ashraf
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