The Afghanistan Cricket Board unveiled the details of their 16-member squad set to confront Sri Lanka in the upcoming three-match T20I series commencing on February 17th. The announcement came with the significant revelation that Mujeeb Ur Rahman will not take part due to a sprain he sustained in his right hand’s phalanx prior to the One-Day International (ODI) series. Additionally, the team will have to forge ahead without their renowned spin bowler Rashid Khan, as he steps out to recover post back surgery.
This series also sees the absence of pace bowler Mohammad Saleem, who is contending with a hamstring injury. As Afghanistan gears up for this encounter, the national team has made a strategic choice to introduce four changes from the roster that previously squared off against India in January. Mujeeb’s and Saleem’s exclusion is necessitated by their injuries, while Rahmat Shah and wicketkeeper Ikram Alikhil find themselves side-lined for the forthcoming matches.
In the wake of Rashid’s hiatus, Ibrahim Zadran is poised to continue his leadership role, having previously captained the squad against India as well as the UAE. Mujeeb Ur Rahman last represented Afghanistan during the T20I series against India, after which he participated in the International League T20 (ILT20) for Gulf Giants. The injury that followed his stint in Sri Lanka ruled him out of play. Meanwhile, Rashid has been off the cricketing grid ever since the 2023 ODI World Cup, having withdrawn from the Big Bash League (BBL) to undergo his surgical procedure, also missing the subsequent SA20 cricket tournament.
The team from Sri Lanka, too, announced its contingent earlier in the same day, disclosing that Dushmantha Chameera will not be part of the squad. Stepping into the fray as his substitute is Binura Fernando. The island nation’s team will be spearheaded by Wanindu Hasaranga, with Charith Asalanka serving as the vice-captain.
Afghanistan’s complete squad is as follows: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Ishaq (wicketkeeper), Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Wafadar Momand, and Qais Ahmad.
Sri Lanka’s team is ready for action with the following lineup: Wanindu Hasaranga (captain), Charith Asalanka (vice-captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, and Binura Fernando.
With this stage set, the T20I cricket series is bound to witness a vibrant competition between these two squads. The absence of key players such as Mujeeb and Rashid from the Afghanistan lineup may be a point of concern for the team looking to capitalize on their recent cricketing campaigns. However, the rise of new talent and the strategic leadership of Ibrahim Zadran might just hew a path to unexpected victories and a richly entertaining series for cricket aficionados worldwide.
