KABUL (SW): The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday announced 14-member squad for the forthcoming International Cricket Council Inter-Continental Cup match to be held in Hong Kong.
Chief Selector Nawroz Mangal announced the squad for the four-day match that would be played against the host Hong Kong from October 20. Opener Noor Ali Zadran has been dropped due to his fitness issues while left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf has been recalled after a gap of more than two years. Most players are from the same squad that defeated Ireland earlier this year in India.
The team would depart for Hong Kong on October 12.
Ehsanullah Janat has been picked to replace flamboyant wicket-keeper batsman Shahzad Mohammadi who faces a ban by the ICC for doping.
The team include Captain Asghar Stanikzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Rahmat Shah, Haved Ahmadi, Shabir Noori, Afsar Zazai, Nasir Jamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Hashmat Shahidi, Zahir Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Sharafudin Ashraf and Ihsanullah Janat. All-rounder Gulbadin Naib, Samiullah Shinwari and Farid Ahmad have been selected as reserve players.
Mangal said on the occasion this squad has been selected from 30 best players. A victory in this match against Hong Kong would mean Afghanistan can leave Ireland behind and grab first position in the International Cricket Council Inter-Continental Cup.
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