Afghanistan has announced its squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, with key players Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman ruled out due to injuries. The team will be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi and includes experienced players like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi.
The opening day of the one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium in Greater Noida. Despite sunny weather in the afternoon, the ground staff failed to prepare the pitch, leading to frustration among players, media, and spectators. The stadium’s lack of modern facilities and manpower was evident, further highlighting the challenges faced by the ACB in hosting international matches.
Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his excitement about two young Afghan batters, Riaz Hassan and Bahir Shah, who he believes could be crucial to Afghanistan’s future in Test cricket. Ashwin praised their impressive domestic records and compared them to former Indian stars Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif, highlighting their potential to stabilize Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
Afghanistan’s opening batsman, Ibrahim Zadran, has sustained an ankle injury during a practice session, raising concerns about his availability for the historic one-off Test against New Zealand. This news comes as a blow to the Afghan team, who are already without star spinner Rashid Khan. Persistent rain has also disrupted preparations for the match.
Afghanistan has named its final 16-member squad for the one-off Test against New Zealand, featuring three uncapped players. Notably absent is star all-rounder Rashid Khan, who is recovering from injury. The squad was finalized after a 10-day preparation camp.
New Zealand has arrived in India for a historic one-off Test match against Afghanistan, marking the first red-ball encounter between the two nations. The Black Caps have named a strong squad, led by veteran pacer Tim Southee, and will be using the match as preparation for upcoming World Test Championship fixtures against Sri Lanka and India.
The Shpageeza Cricket League, Afghanistan’s premier T20 tournament, has begun with heightened security after a bombing during last year’s edition. Star players, including Rashid Khan, are expected to join later in the tournament.
Afghanistan international cricketer Ihsanullah Jannat has been banned for five years from all forms of cricket for match-fixing during the Kabul Premier League. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) found him guilty of violating the ICC’s anti-corruption code and admitted his involvement in corrupt activities.
Afghanistan’s inspiring run in the T20 World Cup ended in the semifinals against South Africa, but their journey to this point highlights their resilience and potential. Despite facing challenges like security concerns and political turmoil, Afghanistan’s cricket team has consistently made progress, reaching the semifinals for the first time. This article explores the team’s remarkable journey, their strengths, weaknesses, and what the future holds for Afghan cricket.
Afghanistan, once competing against nations like Japan and Botswana in Division 5 of the ICC World Cricket League, now stands on the brink of history. They face South Africa in the T20 World Cup semifinals, marking a remarkable journey for the underdogs. This match presents a unique opportunity for either team to become the first men’s World Cup finalist since New Zealand in 2015.
