The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has named a 16-member squad for the three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka.
Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s T20 skipper and ace spinner who is recuperating from a lower-back surgery, will miss the series.
Ibrahim Zadran, who led Afghanistan in the previous two T20I series in UAE and India, is set to lead the team against Sri Lanka as well.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman is also missing out after sustaining a sprain in his right phalanx (hand) before the start of the ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Fast bowler Mohammad Saleem Safi, who was part of the squad for the tour of India, has also been left out due to a hamstring strain.
Meanwhile, Wafadar Momand has been recalled to the squad as his replacement.
ACB Chief Selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said: “We have a close sight on the upcoming T20 World Cup for which we want to prepare a very good mix of players consisting of both juniors and seniors.”
He called the series alongside the three T20Is against Ireland in March a good opportunity for Afghans to test their bench strength and finalise a good squad for the mega event.
Squad: Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Wafadar Momand and Qais Ahmad.
The three-match series is scheduled to commence from February 17 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.
Earlier, the hosts trounced Afghanistan in the one-off Test match and first two ODIs of the series.
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