Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced its squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, making them the fifth team to do so after New Zealand, South Africa, England, and India. The squad of 15 members, includes six all-rounders. The team will be led by the biggest star in Afghanistan’s cricket, Rashid Khan.
The squad features two promising youngsters, Mohammad Ishak and Nangial Khilwat. 20-year-old all-rounder Khilwat showcased his talent by taking 5 wickets at an economy rate of 5.90 in his debut series against Ireland last March.
His performance impressed the selectors enough to earn him a spot in the squad. 19-year-old Ishak also made his debut for Afghanistan this year and has been preferred as the second-choice wicketkeeper behind Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Apart from Rashid Khan and Nangial Khilwat, the squad includes experienced all-rounders Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, and Karim Janat.
The last three are primarily pace bowling all-rounders. Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi have secured places as pace bowlers, along with Mujeeb Ur Rahman, making Afghanistan’s spin department even stronger with the inclusion of Naveen and Nur Ahmad.
Explosive opener Hazratullah Zazai did not make it to the main squad. He, along with Seddiqullah Atal and Salim Safi, has been kept as reserves.
The T20 World Cup is set to begin on June 1st, with Afghanistan kicking off their campaign against debutants Uganda on June 4th.
Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup Squad:
Rashid Khan (Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishak, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Nangial Khilwat, Nur Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Reserves: Hazratullah Zazai, Seddiqullah Atal, and Salim Safi.
