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Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced their men’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, set to begin on August 27 in the UAE. Mohammad Nabi, the experienced all-rounder, will lead the side.
Middle-order batter Najibullah Zadran has been named vice-captain for the six-nation tournament. While batting all-rounder Samiullah Shinwari returns to the squad replacing Sharafuddin Ashraf, left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad is back in the team along with mystery bowlers Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan.
“The Asia Cup is an important event for us and, as such, we have picked our best available players for the event. Samiullah Shinwari has been added to the side for the Asia Cup. He is in very good form and can give further impetus to the batting department, which already boasts Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi,” ACB chief selector Noor Malikzai said in his statement.
“Shinwari has not played any international match since March 2020, but he has done well in the recently held Shpageeza Cricket League 2022 and demonstrated that he is a good option to strengthen our middle order,” he added.
Afghanistan, placed in Group B, will start their Asia Cup 2022 campaign against Sri Lanka on August 27 and next face Bangladesh on August 30. The top two teams from Group A and Group B will qualify for the Super 4 stage, beginning from September 3.
Afghanistan squad for Asia Cup 2022:
Mohammad Nabi (c), Najibullah Zadran (vc), Afsar Zazai (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Mujib ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Naveen ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rashid Khan, Samiullah Shinwari.
