New Delhi, March 2 (HS). Mystery spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar and left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Nangeyalia Kharotte have been included in Afghanistan's senior squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Ireland in Sharjah. Both Kharote and Ghazanfar played for Afghanistan in the Under-19 World Cup.
Senior spinners Rashid Khan (back surgery) and Mujeeb Ur Rehman (right side sprain) are recovering from injuries.
“Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are recovering from their respective injuries and are not available for selection,” ACB chief selector Ahmed Shah Sulaimankhil said in a statement on Friday. However, we have included some top performing youngsters like Nangeyalia Kharote and Bilal Sami. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar is a very talented cricketer and has displayed excellent skills during the Under-19 World Cup. “He will provide cover for Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the ODI series against Ireland.”
Fast bowler Bilal Sami, who was among the reserve players for Afghanistan's recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, has been promoted to the main squad. Sami is also uncapped in international cricket. Overall, he has played 10 List A games so far, taking 23 wickets at an average of 21.60 and an economy rate of 6.21.
Wristspinner Qais Ahmed, who struggled for control in Sri Lanka, has been named among the reserve players. Zia Ur Rehman and Shahidullah Kamal are the other reserve players of the team.
Afghanistan squad is as follows: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah (vice-captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hasan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Nangeyalia Kharotte. , Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmed, Bilal Sami, Fazal Haq Farooqui, Navid Zadran and Farid Ahmed Malik.
Reserves: Zia Ur Rahman, Shahidullah Kamal, Qais Ahmed.