On Tuesday, April 30, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) unveiled the team for the 2024 T20 World Cup, which will take place in the USA and the West Indies in June. The 15-man team, which is evenly composed of young and experienced players, will be captained by star spinner Rashid Khan.
The player that led Afghanistan in the last competition, Hashmatullah Shahidi, is notable for not being able to get a spot this time around. He played in just one T20I match, against Ireland in 2022. The group has also included Nangyal Kharoti, a young player who made his debut for Afghanistan on the international scene in March of this year.
With five wickets at an economy of just 5.90 in three matches against Ireland, he was outstanding. The 15-man roster also included Afghanistan’s wicketkeeper batsman, Muhammad Ishaq, who competed for his country in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cups in 2020 and 2022.
The Atalans will launch their war against Uganda, while Rashid Khan will take command of Afghanistan.
Along with Mujeeb ur Rehman, Noor Ahmed, Kharoti, and seasoned Mohammad Nabi, Captain Rashid Khan will spearhead the spin assault. The fast bowling lineup for Afghanistan will include Fazalhaq Farooq, Fareed Ahmad, and Naveen-ul-Haq. Ibrahim Zadran, Najeeb Zadran, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz will be the core members of the Asian team’s batting unit. All-round players like Muhammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai will provide the three with plenty of support.
Also read: Mitchell Marsh will captain Australia’s T20 World Cup squad in 2024
Talking about the group allocation, the energetic Afghan Atalans are in Group C for the main event. Interestingly, they are in the same group as the West Indies and New Zealand, two regular Test cricketing nations. Amazingly, on June 3, Uganda, another up-and-coming cricket minnow, will participate in their first World Cup match against Afghanistan. Additionally, Papua New Guinea is part of their designated group for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan’s Squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Fareed Ahmad Malik
Reserves:
Sediq Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, and Saleem Safi
India
