Rashid Khan Returns; Ibrahim Zadram Out As Afghanistan Announce Squad For South Africa ODI Series

Rashid Khan is back in Afghanistan's ODI squad (X.com)

Rashid Khan, the charismatic Afghan cricketer is back for the ODI series against South Africa. It is the first-ever bilateral ODI series between Afghanistan and South Africa and all three matches will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium starting from 18th of September.

The Afghan squad will be led by their regular skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and they have named a 17-member squad. Rahmat Shah is the vice-captain of the side and will provide the stability in the batting order along with the captain. 

They will miss the services of Ibrahim Zadran, the right-handed opening batter because of the left-ankle injury he suffered recently while Mujeeb-ur-Rahman is also still recovering from the right phalanx strain.

Rashid Khan's Inclusion A Big Boost For Afghanistan

The likes of Abdul Malik and Darwish Rasooli have been included in the squad to boost the batting line-up, while the young bowler Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar has also been added to the squad. Rashid Khan's return though is a big positive for Afghanistan ahead of the Champions Trophy and his all-round skills will be critical for them against a strong South African unit.

The Rest of the squad is the same that played the ODI series against Ireland which includes familiar names like Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai. 

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Nabi, Naib and Omarzai provide balance with all-round skills and their role will be crucial in the middle overs both with the bat and ball. Fazalhaq Farooqi will lead the pace attack which includes names like Farid Ahmad Malik and Naveed Zadran.

Afghanistan Squad For South Africa Series

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik

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