Mohammad Shahzad Back In Afghanistan Team For Bangladesh Series

Players like Zazai, Usman, Sharafadullah, and former national skipper Gubaidin Naib were there in the squad against Pakistan in March 2023 but have failed to make it in the series against Bangladesh.

Afghanistan Cricket Board announced a 16-member squad for the two-match T20I series against Bangladesh where they have roped in uncapped fast bowler Wafadar Momand. The Afghan team has also included star wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Shahzad and opener Hazratullah Zazai in the squad. Afghanistan will kickstart its tour of Bangladesh on July 05 with a three-match ODI series that is slated to take place at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram. 

After the end of the ODI series on July 11, both teams will go to Sylhet for the two-match T20I series starting on July 14 at Sylhet District Stadium, Sylhet. Afghanistan Cricket Board’s chief selector Asadullah Khan stated that Mohammad Shahzad has been included in the side again on the basis of his recent performances in domestic cricket.

"We brought Shahzad as we feel that we should have an attacking batter as a backup for the opening slot because anything can happen in cricket. He is currently the best option and he also performed very well in the domestic tournament. He shows that he is ready for T20Is and we are starting the process now for the next T20 World Cup and we will see the players on typical roles and later we will decide," Asadullah was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

"We brought Momand because he has very good pace and showed that in camps and domestic cricket. As I said before, we are looking at the players so that we can decide regarding the final squad for the World Cup,” he added.

Players like Afsar Zazai, Usman Ghani, Sharafadullah Ashraf, and former national skipper Gubaidin Naib were there in the squad against Pakistan in March 2023 but have failed to make it in the series against Bangladesh.

"It's not like that (Naib's time is over due to age). As I said, we are in the process to have a look at different players through the matches so we will be able to select a squad for the future," Asadullah further added.

Afghanistan Squad for T20I series vs Bangladesh: Rashid Khan (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Shehzad, Wafadar Momand, Hazratullah Zazai, Sediqullah Atal, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Fareed Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq.