The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has named an 18-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe.
Veteran leggie and T20 skipper Rashid Khan, who had last appeared in the format in March 2021 against the same opposition in Abu Dhabi, has returned to the squad.
ACB said in a statement left-arm top-order batter Sediqullah Atal, who had already got ODI and T20 caps, had been added to side for the first time.
Young medium-fast bowling all-rounder Ismat Alam has also been included in the team for the first time after an impressive performance in the first-class tournament.
Bashir Ahmad Afghan, a promising left-arm fast bowler, is the third player who has been added for the first time after picking up 30 wickets at an impressive average of 17.36 in the first-class tournament.
ACB interim chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhel said: “Rashid Khan returns to the Test squad, which is a promising sign for our red-ball game going forward. The rest of the team underwent good preparations recently in Nangarhar province, which featured 19 players and all the support staff to work with the players and ensure full preparation for the series.”
He explained: “We have thoroughly monitored the proceedings and have picked the squad which includes several new faces, including Ismat Alam, Bashir Ahmad, and Zahir Shehzad, who have performed well during the recent Ahmad Shah Abdali FC Tournament.”
The first Test is scheduled to take place from 26 to December 30 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, while the second match will be played from January 2-6 at the same venue.
Squad:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Ikram Alikhail (WK), Afsar Zazai (WK), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran, and Fareed Ahmad Malik.
Nasir Jamal, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi and Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai are among the stand-by players.
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