With the ODI World Cup 2023 less than a month away, all ten participating teams are unveiling their squads one by one.
Afghanistan named their 15-man roster for the cricket extravaganza, which will take place in India beginning October 5.
Afghanistan Captain in ODI World Cup 2023
Hashmatullah Shahidi will captain the team, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Alikhil serving as wicketkeeping options in the team.
The most notable inclusion is right-arm seamer Naveen-ul-Haq, who did not make the team’s Asia Cup 2023 squad.
Notably, Naveen returns to the Afghanistan ODI team after a two-year absence. In January 2021, he last played 50-over cricket against Ireland in Abu Dhabi.
The 23-year-old has 14 wickets at an average of 25.42 and an economy of 5.78 in seven matches thus far in his career in the format.
Apart from him, seam all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai has made a comeback after missing the Asia Cup due to an injury.
World Cup Bound AfghanAtalan Squad ????
Presenting before you the AfghanAtalan squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. ????#AfghanAtalan | #CWC23 | #WarzaMaidanGata pic.twitter.com/r0SGg3KV8v
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 13, 2023
Reserved and Dropped Players in Afghanistan’s Squad
Meanwhile, despite a strong Asia Cup 2023 performance, veteran all-rounder Gulbadin Naib has been left out of the squad.
The 32-year-old shined in his ODI comeback against Pakistan in the recent three-match series in August.
The right-arm seamer knocked both openers out in the third ODI and also had a four-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup.
However, he was unable to make the 15 and has been named a reserve.
In addition to him, Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, and Suliman Safi have been dropped.
Notably, Janat was recalled for the Asia Cup after a six-year absence from one-day international cricket.
To read our blog on “ICC World Cup 2023 is on the brink, get ready for the action,” click here.
