KABUL: Afghanistan has officially revealed its 17-player squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, set to commence on August 30. The Asia Cup cricket tournament will be jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka using a hybrid model. The Afghan team has introduced several alterations to its roster following a recent three-match ODI series defeat against Pakistan.
In light of the squad announcement, Azmatullah Omarzai and Wafadar Momand have been excluded from the lineup for the Asia Cup. Omarzai’s absence can be attributed to a side strain he sustained during a match against Pakistan.
Afghanistan announced 17 members squad for Asia Cup 2023
📷:ACB#asiacup #asiacup2023 #afghanistan #afghanistancricketboard #rashidkhan pic.twitter.com/zLfoVSCCZt
— SportsTiger (@The_SportsTiger) August 27, 2023
Conversely, the Afghan team is welcoming back notable names, as Karim Janat, Najibullah Zadran, and Sharafuddin Ashraf make their return to the squad. Karim Janat, in particular, is rejoining the team after a significant hiatus, having last played an ODI match in 2017.
Afghanistan Squad for Asia Cup
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Abdul Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Suliman Safi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
With Hashmatullah Shahidi leading the team, Afghanistan aims to showcase its prowess in the Asia Cup. The selection committee’s choices reflect a blend of experience and fresh talent, demonstrating their strategic approach to the tournament.
