(Cricket News) For their first-ever and one-off Test match against Sri Lanka, Afghanistan has called up right-arm quick Naveed Zadran and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq. Uncapped batter Noor Ali Zadran and left-arm spinner Zia-ur-Rehman were also named in the 16-man squad. Rashid Khan, who is still recovering from back surgery, was left off the squad, so all-rounder Qais Ahmad was named in his place.
“We are excited to be playing our first test against a team that has a long history of winning test matches,” ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf said. “We will be playing several test matches in 2024, so it is a busy year for us in terms of test cricket. Like our white-ball lineups, we are committed to strengthening our red-ball cricket and developing a formidable test side as well.”
“The team underwent a two-week preparation camp in Nangarhar followed by a 10-day conditioning camp in Abu Dhabi, featuring all the support staff to work with the players and ensure full preparation for the series,” stated Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, the recently appointed interim Chief Selector.
“We thoroughly monitored the camps and have picked the squad which includes several new faces who have excelled well during the recent domestic events.”
Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Ikram Alikhail (WK), Mohammad Ishaq (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah, Nasir Jamal, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Yamin Ahmadzai, Nijat Masoud, Mohammad Saleem Safi and Naveed Zadran.
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