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Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), on Thursday, announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022, scheduled to start in Australia from October 16.
Mohammad Nabi, who captained Afghanistan in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2022, will continue to lead the side in the 20-over global event. Qais Ahmed has made his comeback to the squad, having last played a T20I in March 2022 against Bangladesh. Similarly, youngster Salim Safi has secured his maiden international call-up.
Middle-order batter Darwish Rasooli has also returned. Notably, Rasooli, who debuted earlier this year, has recovered from a finger injury and has impressed with his performances in the Shpageeza Cricket League 2022.
Meanwhile, the likes of Samiullah Shinwari, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afsar Zazai, Karim Janat and Noor Ahmad, all of whom were a part of the Asia Cup squad, have missed out.
“The Asia Cup was a very good opportunity for the team to buildup things nicely for the much-important global event in Australia. Fortunately, Darwish Rasooli has recovered from injury (broken finger), and we are happy to have him available for the WT20, he has demonstrated good glimpses of him in the previously held Shpageeza Cricket League 2022 and offers an additional batting option to our middle order,” said Chief selector Noor Malikzai in a statement.
“Since the Australian conditions offer further support for the fast bowlers, so we have added Salim Safi, the tall right-arm quick, to add further impetus to our bowling department. Overall we have picked our best available players for the event, and we are hopeful of them to do well and better represent the country in the mega event,” he added.
Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup Squad:
Mohammad Nabi (c), Najibullah Zadran (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Naveen ul Haq, Qais Ahmad, Rashid Khan, Salim Safi, Usman Ghani
Reserves: Afsar Zazai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rahmat Shah, Gulbadin Naib
