Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) have selected their 15 men squad to represent Afghanistan in their first ever Asia Cup tournament to be held from February 27th at Bangladesh at the end of this month.
Afghanistan Asia Cup Squad: Mohammad Nabi Esakhil (C), Mohammad Shehzad (WK), Noor Ali Zadran, Karim Sadiq, Nawroz Mangal, Mohammad Asghar Stanikzai, Samiullah Shinwari, Rehmat Shah Zurmati, Mirwais Ashraf, Fazal Niazai, Hamza Hotak, Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zadran, Dawlat Zadran, Najibullah Zadran.
An ACB statement cited their CEO stressing that they have selected a good squad and expects the national team to further accumulate larger accolades as usual.
“Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO, Dr Noor Muhammad Murad, said that their selection committee has selected a very good squad and God willing they will shine in the Asia Cup. As Afghanistan participates in the tournament for the first time, it is a huge achievement and we have hope and expect our national team to continue to have good achievements as always”. ACB cited Dr Murad.
Some of the notable players to miss out are: Gulbadin Naib (all-rounder), Najeebullah Taraki, Javed Ahmadi, Mohibullah Oryakhel, Izzatullah Daulatzai, Aftab Alam while little known, Fazal Niazai, is the new inclusion in the Afghan squad.
Many would be disappointed at the ACB’s decision to drop Gulbadin Naib. Gully hasn’t done much wrong and performed really well as compared to some selected players. It’s hard to imagine the thinking process behind the expulsion of hard hitting Naib, who has been in a fantastic form in Afghanistan’s friendly matches in Sri Lanka. On his day he could be a game changer through his all round skills, be it batting, bowling or fielding.
