Afghanistan Squad For ODI Series Against Pakistan
Three match ODI series between Afghanistan and Pakistan will begin from Tuesday, August 22 at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota.
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Afghanistan announced a squad of 18 players for the impending three-match ODI series against Pakistan in Sri Lanka. Afghanistan has reinstated left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad as they seek to finalise their team composition ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 in India beginning on October 5.
Left-arm spinner Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, who recently made his ODI debut against Bangladesh, and uncapped leg-spinner Izharulhaq Naveed, who was a member of the Test squad, have both been omitted. However, seamers Mohammad Saleem Safi and Wafadar Momand, who participated in the recent Bangladesh One-Day International series, have retained their positions.
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) Chief Selector Asadullah Khan stated that the series against Pakistan would be the ideal occasion to prepare the team for the Asia Cup and World Cup 2023.
"Our entire focus is on preparing the team for the Asia Cup and the 2023 World Cup. This three-match ODI series against Pakistan provides us with an excellent opportunity to prepare for the upcoming two tournaments, Khan was quoted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as saying.
Khan disclosed that the team will participate in a one-week conditioning camp prior to the series."The Pakistan series preparations are progressing well. Recently, the players have performed admirably in the Kabul Camp, which has been supervised by the ACB's HPC personnel. In addition, a one-week conditioning camp will precede the Pakistan series, he added.
Three ODIs will be held in Hambantota and Colombo
Notably, the three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Pakistan will commence at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota on Tuesday, August 22. The second ODI will be played at the same location on August 24, while the third ODI will take place at R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Following the ODI series, the two teams will compete in the Asia Cup 2023, which Pakistan and Sri Lanka will jointly host beginning on August 30.
