Afghanistan’s star spinner, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, will miss the upcoming three-game ODI series versus Sri Lanka due to injury. The off-spinner sustained a sprain in his right pharynx following a training session before the first ODI. This absence compounds the team’s woes as they are already missing their key leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who is recovering from a back surgery sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Afghanistan cricket board said: “Mujeeb Ur Rahman sprained his right phalanx (hand) during the training session yesterday which ruled him out of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Wish you a swift & speedy recovery Muj!”
Qais Ahmed has been drafted into the 15-member squad in Mujeeb’s place. At the 2023 World Cup, Mujeeb showcased his prowess with eight wickets across nine matches, maintaining an economy rate of 5.59. With 101 wickets in 75 ODIs overall, Mujeeb’s absence is a significant setback.
Despite this setback, Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, opted to field first after winning the toss in the series opener on February 9. The team’s strategy for the opening game involved four seamers and two spinners, adapting to Mujeeb’s absence.
Hashmatullah Shahidi at toss said: “We will bowl first. Really happy that our main guys are back, Rashid is not with us, we are gonna miss him. We are playing 4 seamers and 2 spinners and a few all-rounders. We don’t play a lot of Test cricket and that was a good learning for us. We will give our best in this game.”
Kusal Media said: “The wicket is good and we will put up a good score and then the bowlers will try to restrict them. We are playing with 6 batters and 1 all-rounder, rest all are bowlers. I’m happy to play with 5 genuine bowlers. I think 280-300 should be a good score on this wicket.”
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