ACB announces the 16-man squad for the historic Test match against India

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced the 16-man squad for their historic debut Test match against India. The game will be played on June 14 in Bangalore at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Asghar Stanikzai will lead the side in the whites as the team would look to justify the Test status they were awarded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last year. However, the side looks strong as they will aim to give a tough fight to the World number 1 team in the longest format of the game.

Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi are two of the top players in the squad who were recently in India plying their trade in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Interestingly, the 18-year-old pacer Wafadar Momand has been included along with Syed Sherzad and Yamin Ahmadzai which makes up the pace bowling attack after Dawlat Zadran was ruled out due to an injury.

Mohammad Shahzad is expected to don the wicketkeeping gloves in the game even as Afsar Zazai, the backup option in the department, has also made it to the squad. A total of four spinners are included expecting the ball to spin during the course of the Test with the young Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid expected to make it to the playing XI. The left-arm spinner Hamza Hotak would also be vying for a place as he was the leading wicket-taker in the domestic first-class season.

Pressure on the debutants?

There will be pressure on Afghanistan when they will step into the whole new format of Test cricket as a lot is expected of them. Ireland, who received the Test status along with them, gave a better account of themselves by putting on a stunning fight against Pakistan earlier this month. The same is expected from Afghanistan who have taken giant strides ever since they started playing at the highest level.

Afghanistan Test squad: Asghar Stanikzai (C), Mohammad Shahzad, Javed Ahmadi, Ihsanullah Jannat, Rahmat Shah, Nasir Jamal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afsar Zazai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Zahir Khan, Hamza Hotak, Syed Ahmad Sherzad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Wafadar Momand, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman

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