Asia Cup 2018 | Afghanistan drop Dawlat Zadran from Asia Cup squad

Fresh from a dominating away series win against the Irish cricket team, Ali Asghar and the rest of the Afghanistan cricket team will head to the UAE with confidence for the upcoming Asia Cup showdown. Asghar & Co. will go up against the likes of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh in the Asian showpiece as they aim for a morale-boosting win.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board have announced their 17-man squad for the tournament and one of the surprise exclusions was that of veteran fast-bowler Dawlat Zadran, who was dropped. Zadran was part of the 2015 ODI World Cup squad and travelled to Ireland for the recent tour as well. However, he did not play a part in the series win at all.

Meanwhile, Sayed Shirzad, Munir Ahmad, and Wafadar are the three uncapped ODI players, who were called up by the board as they look to hand an opportunity to promising youngsters ahead of next year’s ICC 2019 World Cup. Wafadar was also in the squad for the ODI series against Ireland but didn't get a chance. He will provide backup to a pace attack that also has Aftab Alam and Sayed Shirzad. Meanwhile, Munir has been picked as a back-up for the opening batsmen and regular wicket-keeper Mohammad Shahzad.

Sharafuddin Ashraf, who last played an ODI in March this year, has also been recalled. The young left-arm wrist spinner will join forces with Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb ur Rahman to form the spin quartet. Afghanistan will begin their Asia Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on September 17.

Squad: Asghar Afghan (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Ihsanullah Janat, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Hashmat Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Najibullah Zadran, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Aftab Alam, Samiullah Shinwari, Munir Ahmad Kakar (wk), Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Sharafudin Ashraf, Wafadar

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