IND vs AFG 2026: Mohammad Saleem earns ODI call-up after impressive Test performance in Mullanpur

Afghanistan have strengthened their squad for the upcoming ODI series against India by adding promising fast bowler Mohammad Saleem to the lineup. The three-match series is scheduled to begin on June 13 in Dharamsala, with the remaining matches set to be played in Lucknow and Chennai.

Saleem was initially selected only for Afghanistan’s Test squad but impressed enough to earn a call-up to the ODI side. The young pacer was one of the standout performers for Afghanistan in the one-off Test against India in New Chandigarh, claiming six wickets despite the visitors suffering an innings-and-300-run defeat. Bowling on a surface that offered little assistance to seamers, Saleem consistently touched speeds of 140kph and delivered long, disciplined spells.

Meanwhile, star spinner Rashid Khan and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi were absent from Afghanistan’s latest training session in Mohali. Rashid is expected to join the squad directly in Dharamsala, while Nabi, who is with the team, is reportedly recovering from illness. Saleem further showcased his pace during practice, notably troubling opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz with a sharp short-of-good-length delivery.

"He was just fantastic. If you come here and you take six wickets in extreme heat against high-quality batting, that goes very well, not just for him as a bowler, but for us as a side,” said Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus in the Test as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Saleem bowled as the first-change pacer during the match and was not handed the second new ball, despite impressing with his pace and discipline. When questioned about the decision, Pybus explained that, as it was his first assignment with the team, he was still assessing the strengths and roles of individual players. Pybus indicated that understanding each player's capabilities and determining the best combinations would take time as he continues to familiarise himself with the squad.

"I don't have any history with these guys before. So in terms of their combinations, this is part of my learning curve. I do know that he has had some niggles in the past. So, yeah, it's just getting them on the park consistently and allowing them to back up these performances,” said Pybus.