Afghanistan Announces Squad for Zimbabwe Tour Featuring New Faces…

Afghanistan has announced a fresh squad for their Zimbabwe tour, featuring debutant Zubaid Akbari and returning players Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Darwish Rasooli. Ibrahim Zadran is unavailable due to injury recovery. The squad’s depth has been praised by officials, indicating strong optimism ahead of the series. The matches include three T20Is and three ODIs, followed by two Tests, aiming to bolster Afghanistan’s international standing.

Afghanistan has announced an exciting new squad for their upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, featuring promising left-hand batter Zubaid Akbari who receives his maiden T20I call-up following exceptional domestic performances and significant contributions to Afghanistan’s success at the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Asia Cup. The team sees the return of Darwish Rasooli, and star spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman resumes following recovery from an injury, ready to strengthen the squad in both formats.

However, star opener Ibrahim Zadran remains unavailable as he is recuperating from ankle surgery. The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s CEO, Naseeb Khan, expressed confidence in the selected players, emphasizing Afghanistan’s strong historical performance in Zimbabwe, stating that they look forward to a memorable series. Chief Selector Ahmad Shah highlighted the depth of the squad and particularly noted Mujeeb’s critical role along with Akbari and Rasooli’s earned spots.

The most recent white-ball series for Afghanistan saw them triumph over Bangladesh with a 2-1 record in the ODI series held in Sharjah. The T20I squad includes Rashid Khan as captain, alongside well-known players such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Mohammad Nabi. The ODI squad features Hashmatullah Shahidi leading a balanced line-up.

The fixtures for this tour are set with a series of three T20Is followed by three ODIs and culminating in two Test matches, starting in December. This tour is anticipated to bolster Afghanistan’s cricketing stature internationally and allow emerging players to make their mark in the competitive arena.

The announcement of Afghanistan’s squad for their Zimbabwe tour is significant as it highlights emerging talents and the return of established players following injuries. Zubaid Akbari’s call-up marks a promising opportunity for the batter to showcase his skills on an international stage after his notable domestic performances. The tour represents a crucial phase for Afghanistan’s cricket, enabling them to build on previous successes and ensure their competitiveness against Zimbabwe. As such, the series should provide valuable experience for both the players and the team as a whole.

In summary, Afghanistan’s upcoming tour to Zimbabwe is poised to be a landmark event, introducing emerging talents like Zubaid Akbari and reinstating vital players such as Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The leadership expressed by both the CEO and Chief Selector indicates a strong belief in the squad’s potential. With fixtures laid out for T20Is, ODIs, and Test matches, this series will be a pivotal opportunity for Afghanistan to demonstrate their growing prowess in international cricket.

Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com