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The excitement is building up as the quarter-finals of men’s cricket competition in the 19th Asian Games approach, and cricket enthusiasts in Afghanistan have recently been given a reason to cheer after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) unveiled its formidable 15-member men’s squad for the marquee event on Wednesday (September 20).
The ‘Afghan Abdalyan’ team announced by ACB is a blend of experience and promising young talents, all ready to showcase their cricketing prowess on the grand stage.
Gulbadin Naib to lead the charge
Leading the charge for the Afghan Abdalyan squad is none other than the veteran all-rounder Gulbadin Naib. With a wealth of experience under his belt, Gulbadin had shouldered leadership responsibilities before when he captained the senior men’s team. He boasts an impressive international record, having represented Afghanistan in 79 ODIs and 59 T20Is. He was even part of Afghanistan’s recent Asia Cup 2023 campaign.
A squad with a mix of experience and emerging talent
While Gulbadin takes up the captaincy, the squad also boasts a lineup of players with international experience. Mohammad Shahzad, Karim Jannat, Sediqullah Atal, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Qais Ahmad, and Afsar Zazai are among the players who have represented Afghanistan at the highest level. Their experience will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to the team.
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However, the Afghan Abdalyan squad is not just about experience as it also includes emerging talents. Noor Ali Zadran, Zubaid Akbari, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, and Shahidullah Kamal are some of the promising young cricketers who recently featured in the ACC Men’s Emerging Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka for Afghanistan. Their inclusion adds a layer of excitement and potential to the squad.
The road ahead for Afghanistan in the 19th Asian Games
The Asian Games cricket competition is slated to be an intense affair. As per the tournament’s rules, Afghan Abdalyan will enter the competition from the quarter-finals stage, which is set to kick off on October 3-4, followed by the semi-finals on October 6, and the grand finale on October 7 in Hangzhou, China.
It’s important to note that the Asian Games has hosted cricket competitions twice in the past, and Afghanistan clinched the runner-up position on both occasions.
Afghanistan’s squad for the 19th Asian Games
Gulbadin Naib (c), Mohammad Shahzad (vc/wk), Sediqullah Atal, Zubdaid Akbari, Noor Ali Zadran, Shahidullah Kamal, Afsar Zazai, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Karim Jannat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Nijat Masoud, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Qais Ahmad and Zahir Khan.
Reserves: Nangyal Kharoti, Mohammad Ibrahim and Allah Noor Nasiri.
