Image Credit- AFP
Rashid Khan, the captain of Afghanistan’s Twenty20
international team, is still recovering from back surgery and is not included
in the 16-man squad for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Sri
Lanka.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman is also out due to injury. According
to an ACB release, Rahman experienced “a sprain in his right phalanx
(hand)” prior to the commencement of the ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Additionally absent is fast bowler Mohammad Saleem, who is still out due to a
hamstring ailment.
The Afghanistan team that played India in a Twenty20
International series last month saw four changes. Afghanistan has dropped
top-order batsman Rahmat Shah and wicketkeeper-batter Ikram Alikhil while
Mujeeb and Saleem are sidelined due to injuries.
The wicketkeeper-battler Mohammad Ishaq, who was also
included in the team for the one-time Test match against Sri Lanka, has been
called up to the Twenty20 international team. Additionally, Saleem has been
recalled in favour of quick bowler Wafadar Momand.
Before travelling to Sri Lanka for the ODI series,
Mujeeb participated in two Twenty20 Internationals against India, played for
the Gulf Giants in the ILT20, and then sustained an injury there. However,
Saleem was unable to play in the ODI squad because of a hamstring injury. He
did, however, play in the third T20I against India and the only Test against
Sri Lanka.
In contrast, Rashid hasn’t participated in a major
cricket match since the November ODI World Cup. This season, he withdrew from
the BBL and underwent back surgery and was subsequently ruled out of SA20 as
well.
Ibrahim Zadran will continue to captain the T20I team
in Rashid’s absence, just as he did against India and the UAE. Gurbaz will be
the head of the order, followed by people like Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah
Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, and Azmatullah Omarzai. Fazalhaq Farooqi, along with
Momand, Fareed Ahmad, and Naveen-ul-Haq, will spearhead the fast-bowling
attack. Along with Sharafuddin Ashraf, Noor Ahmad and Qais Ahmad will comprise
a youthful spin-bowling team.