Zubaid Akbari Receives First T20I Call-Up as Mujeeb Returns for Zimbabwe Expedition
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Kabul, Dec 1 (NationPress) Top-order batter Zubaid Akbari has been selected for his first time in Afghanistan's T20I team, while spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman makes a comeback for the forthcoming white-ball series in Zimbabwe.
Akbari showcased outstanding performances during the domestic season and played a key role in Afghanistan's success at the Emerging Asia Cup.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman had been absent since June due to a right phalanx (hand) injury, but he marked his return to competitive cricket on November 21 at the Abu Dhabi T10. The off-spinner has been included in both the T20I and ODI squads for the Zimbabwe tour.
Additionally, Darwish Rasooli rejoins the T20I squad following a commendable domestic season, where he captained Afghanistan to their first title at the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Asia Cup in Oman earlier this year.
Noor Ahmad has been added exclusively to the T20I roster, while Riaz Hassan has been omitted from the ODI lineup.
Afghanistan will continue to be without the services of prolific top-order batsman Ibrahim Zadran, who is recovering from recent ankle surgery in England.
The interim chief selector of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah, stated, “It’s a wonderful feeling to see our leading spinner, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, regain fitness and be available for selection. He is a vital member of our squad, and we are optimistic he will continue to excel for Afghanistan. Furthermore, Zubaid Akbari and Darwish Rasooli have been consistent in their performances, not just in domestic cricket but also in the recently concluded ACC Emerging Teams Cup, where Afghanistan clinched the title. We are excited to include both players in the T20I squad and wish them the best for the upcoming series.”
T20I squad: Rashid Khan (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Mohammad Ishaq (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Nabi, Darwish Rasooli, Zubaid Akbari, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, and Fareed Ahmad and Naveen Ul Haq.
ODI squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.
