The 18-person Afghanistan team was revealed on Saturday for the three ICC Cricket World Cup Super League one-day internationals (ODIs) versus Sri Lanka that will be played from November 25 to 30 in Kandy.
Both left-arm wristspinner Noor Ahmad and all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, who were absent from Afghanistan's most recent ODI series against Zimbabwe in early June when they defeated the hosts 3-0, have been added to the team.
Although Noor, 18, hasn't yet played in an ODI, he has established quite the reputation in various T20 leagues all over the world. He contributed 4 for 10 on his T20I debut, which is one of the best debut performances ever in a T20I between two Full-Member teams. More recently, he was a member of Afghanistan's 2022 Asia Cup team.
Despite not always receiving the opportunity to play, the young player has consistently been with the squad despite not being selected for the T20 World Cup in Australia.
As anticipated, Hashmatullah Shahidi is in charge of the group and, along with Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Rahmat Shah, will serve as the pivot of the top hierarchy.
Mohammad Nabi, who recently resigned as the T20 captain following Afghanistan's dismal World Cup run in Australia in which they failed to win a single match, has also been added. In the bowling unit, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are the well-known names.
"The selectors have included some young faces for the series which is a good sign for us leading into the ICC Cricket World Cup next year. The series is vital for us in terms of our qualification for the mega event next year and I am sure the squad carries enough strength to do well when they get to the field," Naseeb Khan, the ACB CEO, said.
Afghanistan squad:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Farid Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Gulbadain Naib, Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhail (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nabi, Mujib ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ahmad, Rashid Khan, Riaz Hassan, Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai and Zia ur Rahman Akbar.