Afghanistan make multiple changes to squad for Test against Bangladesh
Afghanistan have dropped as many as five players from the squad that travelled to Ireland earlier this year, replacing them with six new cricketers in what will be Rashid Khan’s first match as captain in Tests. They also announced the T20I squad for the tri-series which also involves Zimbabwe.
After achieving their first ever victory in international red ball cricket earlier this year against Ireland, Afghanistan’s selectors have decided to make a large number of changes to the squad. Wicket keeper batsman Mohamamad Shahzad was left off after a ban of one year was imposed on him recently. Other campaigners that have missed out include Nasir Jamal, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Waqar Salamkheil and Wafadar Momand, out of which only the first two had played against Ireland.
32 year old pace bowler and one of Afghanistan’s most influential players in their rise to Test status, Shapoor Zadran has for the first time been included in a Test squad. Fellow seamer Sayed Shirzad has also made it to the squad while keeper batsman Afsar Zazai who made his debut against India has made a comeback. The uncapped duo of Ibrahim Zadran and Qais Ahmed along with spinner Zahir Khan complete the list of additions to the team.
The T20 squad has undergone quite some changes as well, with Usman Ghani, Zahir Khan, Ziaur Rahman and Samiullah Shinwari asked to stay at home even though were included in the T20 squad that faced Ireland. Uncapped players Shahidullah Kamal, Fazal Niazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have been included as replacements.
20 year old Rashid Khan will be captaining in his first ever Test match against the Tigers, having been named as the skipper for the team in all the three formats of the game.