Afghanistan pick spin-heavy squad for inaugural India Test

Afghanistan picked a spin-heavy 15-member squad for their inaugural Test match against India in Bangalore next month.

Afghanistan picked a spin-heavy 16-member squad for their inaugural Test match against India in Bangalore next month.

Led by the now limited over veteran Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s spin bowling department bears a strong look with finger spinner Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman and left-arm chinaman Zahir Khan in the squad. Rashid and Mujeeb impressed one and all in the recently concluded IPL, while Zahir, who was too a part of the Rajasthan Royals squad, is coming back from a finger injury, which ruled him out of the IPL.

Afghanistan will make their Test debut and become the 12^th Test playing nation on June 14 in Bangalore after being given a full ICC membership along with Ireland, last year. Ireland made their Test debut this month against Pakistan.

Coming back to the squad, it will be led by seasoned campaigner Asghar Stanikzai. Other experienced players, who have played against India in limited overs cricket, include all-rounder Mohammed Nabi and wicket-keeper batsman  Mohammad Shahzad.

Afghanistan will miss the services of experienced medium pacer Dawlat Zadra, who has been ruled out with a knee injury.

The Afghan Cricket Board also announced a 16-member squad for the T20 series Bangladesh, which will be played in Dehradun from June 3, before the one-off India Test match.

They opted for a more youthful squad for the three T20Is, with only five of the Test players retained.

Test Squad: Asghar Stanikzai (capt), Javed Ahmadi, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Nasir Jamal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afsar Zazai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Hamza Hotak, Syed Shirzad, Mohammad Yamin Ahmadzai, Wafadar, Zahir Khan

Squad for Bangladesh T20Is: Asghar Stanikzai (capt), Najeeb Tarakai, Usman Ghani, 4 Mohammad Shahzad, 5 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 6 Najibullah Zadran, 7 Samiullah Shinwari, 8 Shafiqullah Shadaq, 9 Darwish Raooli, 10 Mohammad Nabi, 11 Rashid Khan, 12 Gulbadin Naib, 13 Karim Janat, 4 Sharafuddin Ashraf, 15 Shapoor Zadran, 16 Aftab Alam