Afghanistan Squad for Bangladesh Test and ODI Tri-Series: Rahmat Shah to Lead

Afghanistan have announced their squads for the one-off Test against Bangladesh and the subsequent ODI tri-series involving Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Rahmat Shah will lead Afghanistan in both formats, although the Bangladesh Test will mark his debut as Test captain.

The one-off Test between Bangladesh and Afghanistan will begin in Abu Dhabi on October 9. The three-team ODI series will then take place from October 17 to 23, with the first two matches in Abu Dhabi and the remaining two in Sharjah.

Afghanistan Test Squad

Rahmat Shah (captain), Ikram Alikhil (vice-captain and wicketkeeper), Afsar Zazai (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmanullah Zadran, Shahidullah Kamal, Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Khalil Gurbaz, Mohammad Salim Safi, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi and Yamin Ahmadzai.

Reserves: Bahir Shah Mahboob, Nasir Khan Marufkhil, Bilal Sami and Bashir Ahmad.

Experienced left-arm spinner Zia Ur Rahman Akbar has returned to the Test squad after being out of international cricket for almost a year due to injury.

Leg-spinner Khalil Gurbaz has also been recalled after previously featuring in Afghanistan’s Test squad for the 2024 series against Ireland.

Left-handed middle-order batter Shahidullah Kamal and fast bowler Yamin Ahmadzai have earned Test recalls after strong performances in domestic first-class cricket.

Shahidullah has scored 538 runs at an average of 76.85 in the ongoing Ahmad Shah Abdali Trophy and is currently the tournament’s leading run-scorer. Yamin, meanwhile, has taken 42 wickets at an average of 12.73 and is among the tournament’s leading wicket-takers.

Rashid Khan and Ibrahim Zadran Missing From Test Squad

Afghanistan will be without two of their prominent players, Rashid Khan and Ibrahim Zadran, for the Bangladesh Test.

Both players have not featured in Test cricket for nearly two years, and the Afghanistan Cricket Board said medical professionals have advised them to stay away from the longest format for the time being.

Neither Rashid nor Ibrahim was part of Afghanistan’s most recent Test against India in June.

Rashid and Ibrahim Return for ODI Tri-Series

Both Rashid Khan and Ibrahim Zadran have been included in Afghanistan’s ODI squad. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi is also part of the 50-over squad.

Afghanistan ODI Squad:
Rahmat Shah (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (vice-captain and wicketkeeper), Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Yamin Ahmadzai.

Rahmat led Afghanistan to a 4-0 ODI series victory over Ireland in August. He will now begin his Test captaincy against Bangladesh.

Afghanistan’s Busy Schedule Continues

After the Bangladesh Test and the ODI tri-series, Afghanistan will play a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe on October 27 and 29 and November 1.

The two sides will then meet in a two-Test series. Afghanistan are set to use the same Test squad selected for the Bangladesh match for the Zimbabwe Tests.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has also announced the squad for the Zimbabwe T20I series, with experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi left out.

Bangladesh have travelled to the United Arab Emirates for their Test against Afghanistan, with the one-off match in Abu Dhabi scheduled to begin on October 9.