Afghanistan has named a strong 15-man squad for the ODI series in Sri Lanka

Abdul Rahman, a 21-year-old uncapped medium fast bowler, has been called up to Afghanistan’s one-day international squad for a three-match series in Sri Lanka early next month. It’s a strong squad, with most of the regulars present, including some IPL players – Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi – among the 15.

Series schedule

June 2 – 1st ODI

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June 4 – 2nd ODI

June 7 – 3rd ODI

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All matches to be played in Hambantota

Afghanistan has qualified directly for the 2023 ODI World Cup, which will be held in India later this year, as opposed to Sri Lanka, which must compete in qualifiers in Zimbabwe and hope to finish in the top two to make the global tournament.

The build-up for the ICC Cricket World Cup has already begun, and the Afghanistan Cricket Board chair, Mirwais Ashraf, said in a statement: “It’s good to have a couple of young faces for the series. We are looking for every possible opportunity to build a good combination of the team and prepare them well for the event.

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The squad includes Mohammad Nabi and Rashid, as well as captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Ibrahim Zadran, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, but the reserves include Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, and Gulbadin Naib.

The bowling appears to be particularly powerful. Apart from Rashid, Mujeeb, and Nabi, who are ranked Nos. 6, 8, and 10 in the ICC ODI bowlers rankings, there is Noor, who has had an impressive debut IPL season with Gujarat Titans, and Farooqi, who will lead the fast bowling attack. Rahman comes in after a strong showing for Hindukush Strikers in the ongoing domestic one-day tournament in Afghanistan, where he has seven wickets in five games at an economy rate of 5.81.

Afghanistan ODI squad: