AM Ghazanfar Joins Afghanistan's Squad for Upcoming Test Matches Against Zimbabwe
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New Delhi, Dec 25 (NationPress) Spinner AM Ghazanfar has been included in Afghanistan's roster for the forthcoming Test series against Zimbabwe, commencing in Bulawayo on Thursday. This change follows news that Rashid Khan will not participate in the Boxing Day match due to personal matters.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed via their X post on Wednesday that Ghazanfar has been selected for the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, with the first match set to begin tomorrow in Bulawayo.
This marks Ghazanfar's inaugural call-up to the Test squad after he achieved remarkable figures of 5/33 in the third ODI at Harare Sports Club, which led Afghanistan to an eight-wicket victory, clinching a 2-0 series win. Notably, Ghazanfar has yet to play a first-class match in his cricketing career.
The year 2024 has been an extraordinary one for Ghazanfar, who started by representing Afghanistan in the U19 Men’s World Cup held in South Africa, where he claimed eight wickets in four games at an economy rate of 3.35. This was followed by his senior ODI debut against Ireland in March.
He also led Afghanistan A to their first ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup title in 2024, earning the Player of the Match award in the final against Sri Lanka A in Oman.
The opening match of the series against Afghanistan will take place at the Queens Sports Club, marking the first time in 28 years that Zimbabwe will host a Boxing Day Test at home. This will be succeeded by Zimbabwe's inaugural New Year’s Test, scheduled for January 2-6, 2025.
Afghanistan's updated Test squad includes: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhail, Afsar Zazai, Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad Malik, and AM Ghazanfar.
