HARARE (SW): The National-A team is all set to take on its strong Zimbabwean counterpart in the maiden ODI of the 5 matches’ series in Harare on Friday.
The match is scheduled to start at 12 noon Afghanistan time. Raees Ahmadzai, coach of the National-A team told Salam Watandar the boys are fit and determined to make a mark in this series abroad. He stressed equal chances would be given to all the players in the squad. The A team has also been named as ‘Developing Team’ with a clear objective to nurture players for the national team.
As per the schedule, second match of the series would be played on January 29, the third one on January 31, 4th match on February 02 and the last one on February 05.
Dropped from the national team, hard-hitting batsman Shafiqullah Shafaq has been named as captain for the 16 member ‘Developing Team’. Other players in the squad include Karim Sadique, Mohammad Khyber, Nasir Khan, Imran Janat, Mohammad Zamir, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Ibrahim, Mohammad Nawazi, Rahmanullah Garbaz, Abdullah Adil, Fazal Rahman, Syed Waheddullah, Younus Ahmadzai, Ziaur Rahman and Noorul Haq.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB)’s Selection Committee has named Abdul Raheem, and Munir Ahmad who was the third top scorer in the four-day Ahmad Shah Abdali tournament, along with Naqib Nangarhari as reserve players. The ACB has expressed optimism that the A team would bring success and joy to the nation.
This is the second time both teams are facing each other. Last year in February, Afghanistan hosted Zimbabwe’s A team in India for two 4-day matches and three ODIs. Both of the 4-day matches resulted in draw, while Afghanistan emerged victorious in the ODI series with 2-1.
In that series, Rehmat Shah shined by scoring a total of 203 runs besides bagging 9 wickets. Shah is now busy in training camp with the national team in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
ENDS
