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After a challenging Test and ODI series, Afghanistan gears up for the final leg of their tour, a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. The battleground for the shortest format series is Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla, promising thrilling clashes on February 17, 19 and 21.
Key player absences and inclusion
Facing a one-sided defeat in the Test and a 3-0 white-wash in the ODIs, Afghanistan will enter the T20Is with a point to prove. Led by Ibrahim Zadran, the team will miss the services of senior spinner Rashid Khan, recovering from back surgery, and the injured Mujeeb ur Rahman. While Wafadar Momand makes a return in the side after his lone appearance in 2023. Wicketkeepers Rahmatullah Gurbaz and Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi will be crucial behind the stumps.
Afghanistan squad dynamics for the T20I series against Sri Lanka
Naveen-ul-Haq‘s return adds firepower to the pace department, complementing Fazal Haq Farooqi and Fareed Ahmad. In the spin department, Qais Ahmad, Noor Ahmad and Sharafuddin Ashraf will aim to bamboozle Sri Lankan batters. Mohammad Nabi‘s all-round capabilities bring depth to the squad, with Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat and Gulbadin Naib adding versatility as dynamic all-rounders. Hazratullah Zazai and Najibullah Zadran, known for their explosive batting, will look to provide Afghanistan with formidable starts and impactful contributions in the middle order.
Also READ: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, T20I series: Date, Match Time, Venue, Squads, Broadcast and Live Streaming details
Afghanistan’s top-choice best playing XI for the T20I series against Sri Lanka:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Opener): Known for his explosive stroke play, Gurbaz serves as the dynamo at the top of the order. His aggressive approach sets the tone for Afghanistan, providing early momentum with his ability to take on opposition bowlers.
- Ibrahim Zadran (Captain – Top order stability): Skipper Ibrahim brings stability to the top order, combining flair with responsibility. His leadership qualities are crucial for guiding the team, and as a talented batters, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the team’s fortunes.
- Hazratullah Zazai (Power-hitting specialist): Zazai, a T20 specialist, possesses incredible power-hitting abilities. His aggressive style and capability to dominate bowlers make him a constant threat in the powerplay, a vital asset in Afghanistan’s aggressive batting lineup.
- Najibullah Zadran (Middle order finisher): A finisher par excellence, Najibullah adds depth to the middle order. His ability to handle pressure situations and finish innings with aggressive strokes makes him invaluable for Afghanistan’s T20 aspirations.
- Mohammad Nabi (All-rounder maestro): Nabi, an all-rounder par excellence, brings a wealth of experience. His stability in batting, off-spin bowling, and knack for contributing in crucial moments make him a cornerstone in Afghanistan’s T20 setup.
- Azmatullah Omarzai (Promising all-rounder): A young and promising all-rounder, Omarzai’s aggressive batting complements his handy spin bowling. His dual abilities add balance to the side, providing options with both bat and ball in the middle overs.
- Gulbadin Naib (Experienced all-rounder): Gulbadin, an experienced all-rounder, plays the role of a finisher and contributes with the ball. His leadership qualities add experience to the team, enhancing the overall balance in Afghanistan’s playing XI.
- Naveen-ul-Haq (Pace-bowling prospect): Naveen, a rising pace-bowling prospect, injects energy into the fast-bowling department. His ability to generate pace, extract bounce, and strike early in the innings adds potency to Afghanistan’s bowling attack.
- Qais Ahmad (Skillful leg-spinner): Qais, a skillful leg-spinner, introduces spin variation to the bowling lineup. His ability to deceive batters with variations and pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs makes him a potent force.
- Noor Ahmed (Left-arm mystery spinner): Noor, a left-arm spinner, provides spin support to the team. His tight control over line and length, coupled with the ability to vary his pace, makes him a reliable option to contain runs and break partnerships.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (Exciting fast bowler): An exciting fast bowler, Farooqi adds pace and aggression to the bowling attack. His ability to generate movement, bowl with pace, and pick up early wickets showcases his potential as a match-winner for Afghanistan.
