Hashmatullah Shahidi to Captain Afghanistan in First ICC Champions Trophy Starting February 19
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Lead Afghanistan in Maiden ICC Champions Trophy
In an exciting announcement, Hashmatullah Shahidi has been appointed as the captain of Afghanistan for their inaugural ICC Champions Trophy, set to kick off on February 19. This is a significant milestone for Afghan cricket, and expectations are high as they aim to make their mark in this prestigious tournament.
Key Players to Watch
Afghanistan boasts a talented squad with several standout players. Among them are opening batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz and returning player Ibrahim Zadran, who is back from an ankle injury. They will be crucial at the top of the order, supported by the experienced Rahmat Shah and captain Shahidi himself, who will strengthen the batting lineup.
The bowling attack will be spearheaded by the dynamic Rashid Khan, all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, and pace sensation Fazalhaq Farooqi. However, the team will miss the services of spinner Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, a key player during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Group Stage Fixtures
Afghanistan’s group stage matches will see them face formidable opponents:
- February 21 – Afghanistan vs South Africa, Karachi
- February 26 – Afghanistan vs England, Lahore
- February 28 – Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore
Afghanistan’s Squad
The 15-member squad includes:
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (c)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Sediqullah Atal
- Rahmat Shah
- Ikram Alikhil
- Gulbadin Naib
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan
- AM Ghazanfar
- Noor Ahmad
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Farid Malik
- Naveed Zadran
Reserves include Darwish Rasooli, Nangyal Kharoti, and Bilal Sami.
Looking Ahead
As Afghanistan prepares for their Champions Trophy debut, there is a sense of optimism surrounding the team. With a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, they are eager to create history on the global stage. For cricket fans, this tournament promises to be an exciting spectacle.
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