The Afghanistan cricket team has arrived in Lahore to participate in their first ICC Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19 in Karachi. Led by captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, they face South Africa in their opener. The team will miss key player AM Ghazanfar due to injury and will also play against England and Australia in Lahore. The full squad includes 14 players with two reserves.
Afghanistan’s national cricket team has arrived in Lahore, Pakistan, marking their inaugural participation in the ICC Champions Trophy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the team’s arrival ahead of the tournament which begins on February 19 in Karachi. Defending champions Pakistan will face New Zealand in the opening match, while Afghanistan will face South Africa in their first encounter.
Under the captaincy of Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan will also play England on February 21 and Australia on February 28, both matches being held in Lahore. The PCB expressed enthusiasm about Afghanistan’s participation, labeling it a significant milestone for the team.
However, Afghanistan’s squad faced a setback as young spinner AM Ghazanfar was ruled out due to a serious back injury. He was injured during the team’s recent tour to Zimbabwe and will require at least four months for rehabilitation, leaving the team without his services for the tournament. Additionally, experienced spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman is also unavailable.
Afghanistan’s squad for the tournament includes Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, and Naveed Zadran. The reserves are Darwish Rasooli and Bilal Sami.
The arrival of Afghanistan’s cricket team in Lahore marks a historic moment as they prepare to compete in their first ICC Champions Trophy. Despite facing challenges with injuries to key players, the team aims to make a significant impact in the tournament. Their matches against formidable teams like South Africa, England, and Australia will be crucial in showcasing their capabilities on the international stage.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
