Photo Credit: Afghanistan Cricket Board
The Afghanistan Cricket Board today confirmed the final 18-player squad for the three-match T20I series against the United Arab Emirates that begins tomorrow. The three 20I matches will take place on February 16, 18, and 19 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
We don’t take any team lightly and have always tended to completely prepare the squad for any event, according to Chairman Mr. Mirwais Ashraf. “The team has been in the UAE for around 10 days as it was getting ready for the series,” he added. “Playing UAE in their own conditions is not an easy task because they are a good team with some excellent cricketers, but we are hoping that AfghanAtalan will do well and rise to the occasion,” he continued.
The T20I series is being played in accordance with the mutual cooperation agreement that was recently signed between Afghanistan and the Emirates Cricket Boards. Based on the agreement, Afghanistan will play a series of three T20I matches with the UAE on an annual basis.
This will be Afghanistan’s first international assignment in 2023 and is considered a crucial preparation for a busy upcoming season, which includes several bilateral commitments and major events such as the ACC Asia Cup in September and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in October.
Afghanistan Squad for the UAE T20I Series (Alphabetic Order)
Rashid Khan (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Afsar Zazai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Naveen Ul Haq, Nijat Masoud, Noor Ahmad, Rahmat Shah, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Zahir Khan.
Series Schedule
16th February – 1st T20I, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
18th February – 2nd T20I, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
19th February – 3rd T20I, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
