Mohammad Shahzad recalled as Afghanistan name T20I squad for Bangladesh series

Uncapped fast bowler Wafadar Momand has been named in Afghanistan’s 16-member squad for the two-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Afghanistan Cricket Board have also included veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Shahzad and opening batter Hazratullah Zazai in the squad.

Afghanistan will kick off their tour of Bangladesh on July 05 with a three-match ODI series scheduled to be played at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram. Following the end of the ODI series on July 11, the two teams will shift to Sylhet for the two-match T20I series starting on July 14 at Sylhet District Stadium, Sylhet. The second game of the series will be played on July 16 at the same venue.

Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) chief selector Asadullah Khan said Mohammad Shahzad, who last played a T20I against New Zealand in 2021, has been brought back due to his recent performances in domestic cricket. He further added that the selection panel wants to give all the players a fair chance before they finalise their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in the USA and West Indies in 2024.

"We brought Shahzad as we feel that we should have an attacking batter as a back-up for the opening slot because anything can happen in cricket. He is currently the best option and he also performed very well in the domestic tournament. He shows that he is ready for T20Is and we are starting the process now for the next T20 World Cup and we will see the players on typical roles and later we will decide," Asadullah was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

He further said that Momand has been picked due to his good pace, which he showed in camps and domestic cricket.

"We brought Momand because he has very good pace and showed that in camps and domestic cricket. As I said before, we are looking at the players so that we can decide regarding the final squad for the World Cup,” he added.

Afsar Zazai, Usman Ghani, Sharafadullah Ashraf and Gubaidin Naib dropped

Afsar Zazai, Usman Ghani, Sharafadullah Ashraf and former national skipper Gubaidin Naib were all a part of the squad that played against Pakistan in March 2023 but have failed to retain their places.

"It's not like that (Naib's time is over due to age). As I said, we are in the process to have a look at different players through the matches so we will be able to select a squad for the future," Asadullah further added.

Afghanistan Squad for T20I series vs Bangladesh: Rashid Khan (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Shehzad, Wafadar Momand, Hazratullah Zazai, Sediqullah Atal, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Fareed Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq