Afghanistan Cricket Board announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 starting from 30th August 2023. They have been placed in groups of death including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the side as they would be looking to create an upset in the tournament.
The batting looks strong with the likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Ikram Akhil, and Gulbdain Naib. The pace bowling department comprises Fazalhaq Farooqi, Karim Janat, and Abdul Rahman. Their spin bowling looks extremely potent with the likes of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmed, and Mohammad Nabi.
It promises to be an exciting tournament as Afghanistan would look to take lessons from the 3-match ODI series against Pakistan that finished on 26th August 2023.
Afghanistan look to produce lovely performances in Asia Cup 2023
Afghanistan would look to produce some lovely performances in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. They will start their campaign against Bangladesh at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on 3rd September. Afghanistan ended the league stage with a match against Sri Lanka at Lahore on 5th September. The top two teams in each group would qualify for the Super 4 stage.
Afghanistan lost the One-day international series against Pakistan 0-3. They challenged Babar Azam and Co in every match. The first match saw Afghanistan bowl out Pakistan for 201 but were bowled out for just 59 runs. The second match at Hambantota saw Afghanistan post 300 for 5 in 50 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran put on 227 runs for the opening wicket.
They looked to upset Pakistan in the second match but Naseem Shah’s brilliance took them a thrilling 1-wicket win. It was a disciplined bowling effort by Afghanistan bowlers in the 3rd ODI at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo till the 30th over. They allowed Pakistan to score 268 for 8 and muster 209 in their innings losing by 59 runs.
Najibullah Zadran and Rahmat Shah could not participate in the series due to injuries. Afghanistan can create an upset defeating Bangladesh and winning against Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan squad for the Asia Cup 2023
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Riaz Hasan, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Ikram Akhil, Gulbdain Naib, Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Abdul Rahman, S Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, S Safi, Fazallahq Farooqi.
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