The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s Selection Committee has announced a 20-member preliminary squad for the one-off Test match of Afghanistan cricket team against New Zealand. Afghanitsan vs. New Zealand ‘one-off Test’ is scheduled for September 9–13 in Greater Noida. The squad will depart for India on August 28 and will participate in a one-week preparation camp in Greater Noida. The match will be held in Greater Noida’s Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex.
Notably, from the squad star spinner and top player Rashid Khan is absent from the squad. However, officials from the selection committee mentioned that the final squad will be decided after the camp, based on the players’ performance and fitness.
Ahmad Shah Sulimankhel, the Chief Selector, stated, “We have selected 20 players for the training camp, and a 15-member squad will be finalized for the Test match against New Zealand after assessing their performance and fitness.”
The preliminary squad for Afghanistan vs New Zealand
Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ikram Alikhel (wk), Shahidullah Kamal, Gulbadin Naib, Afsar Zazai (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ziaurrahman Akbar, Shamsurrahman, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Nijat Masoud, Farid Ahmad Malik, Naveed Zadran, Khalil Ahmad and Yama Arab.
Camp in Afghanistan before India
Before heading to India, the players will attend a comprehensive preparation camp in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan. They will participate in the 9th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League, which offers similar conditions to those in India.
Support from BCCI
Afghanistan will return to Greater Noida, after four years, They last played there in March 2020. Since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, the BCCI has consistently supported the Afghan team.
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