The prolific opener makes his comeback after injury but spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman misses the game as he recovers from a sprained hand.
Afghanistan have named fit-again batsman Ibrahim Zadran in their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy as calls continue for teams to boycott games against them due to the Taliban government’s crackdown on women’s rights since returning to power in 2021 .
Opener Zadran has recovered from ankle surgery and will be included in the 15-man squad named by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday.
Right-arm spin bowler Mujeeb Ur Rehman was not included in the lineup as the team management decided against sending him back to 50-overs cricket after he sprained his hand last year.
Teammate AM Ghaznafar was brought in as an equal replacement for Mujeeb. Fast-rising opener Sediqullah Atal also secured a place in the squad.
“Zadran, who was out of action due to an ankle injury, has returned to the squad,” the ACB said in a statement.
“However, Mujeeb Ur Rahman misses out on selection as AM Ghazanfar, a similar mystery spinner, made it to the mega event.”
Rahman was ruled out because “his doctor has advised him to focus on T20 for a while to ensure his full recovery,” ACB acting chief selector Ahmad Suliman Khil added.
Afghanistan have performed impressively at ICC world events in recent years – finishing sixth in the 50-over World Cup in 2023 and reaching the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
This is the first time Afghanistan will take part in the eight-nation Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates from February 19 to March 9.
The country has roped in former Pakistan captain Younis Khan as a mentor for the team.
“Afghanistan has performed exceptionally well in the last two ICC events,” the Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman said in a statement.
“Their impressive performances in these two events coupled with their victories in the ODI series last year will undoubtedly boost their morale and help them deliver an even better campaign this time,” ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf said.
The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side could face some off-field distractions in Pakistan as Group B rivals England and South Africa are asked to boycott their matches.
Both the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket South Africa have ruled out a boycott against Afghanistan in multi-team competitions organized by the ruling International Cricket Council (ICC).
They would rather follow a unified and collective approach from all ICC members, the directors said.
Afghanistan begins its campaign against South Africa in Karachi on February 21.
Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad Malik
