Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has been recalled to Afghanistan's T20I squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan. Nabi who had stepped down from captaincy after Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup 2022 exit, was dropped from the squad against UAE last month.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced the 17-member squad on March 21. The notable exclusions were hard-hitting opener Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmat Shah. Zazai who holds the record for highest T20I score for Afghanistan had not score a single half-century in last 14 T20I innings. On the other hand, Rahmat Shah is yet to make his T20I debut.
Uncapped opener Sediqullah Atal has received his maiden call up. Nijat Masoud and Zahir Khan and Nangyal Karoti will travel with the squad as reserves. Masoud and Zahir were also part of the squad that played against UAE.
"Our team has been working hard in training camp and selectors have selected the best available players for the series," ACB CEO Mr. Naseeb Khan said. "I am confident that our team will perform at their best and make our nation proud. We wish our team the best of luck for the series and hope to see them emerge victorious.
"In addition, we look forward to an exciting competition between two great teams. Both nations have passionate fans who support their teams with enthusiasm and pride. As neighbors, we have a special bond and we hope to showcase not only our cricketing skills but also the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship," he further added.
The three-T20I series will begin on March 24. Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had named Shadab Khan as captain for the series. Babar Azam has been rested alongside senior players Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi.
Afghanistan T20I squad: Rashid Khan (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Sediqullah Atal, Najibullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Fareed Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi and Naveen Ul Haq
Pakistan T20I squad: Shadab Khan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Zaman Khan
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