The Afghanistan Cricket Board has named its 16-member squad on January 29 for the upcoming Colombo Test.
Afghanistan squad for Sri Lanka Test
Afghanistan is set to play a one-off Test, 3 T20Is, and 3 ODIs against Sri Lanka starting next month. On this occasion, Afghanistan has named its squad for the test, including four uncapped players.
The right-arm pacer Naveed Zadran and WK-Batter Mohammad Ishaq were called for their Test debut. UnCapped batter Noor Ali Zadran and left-arm spinner Zia-ur-Rehman were also named in the squad.
On the other hand, the Afghanistan pacer Rashid Khan is still recovering from his back surgery and was sidelined from the Afghanistan squad. With Rashid Khan’s exclusion, the selectors have picked Qais Ahmed in the squad.
🚨 SQUAD ALERT 🚨
AfghanAtalan’s Lineup Revealed for the One-Off Test Match against @OfficialSLC, starting this Friday in Colombo! 👇
More 👉: https://t.co/cIxe33OBf5 #AfghanAtalan | #SLvAFG2024 pic.twitter.com/Q7IpR2U2qM
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) January 29, 2024
Recently, the side concluded a three-match T20I series in Afghanistan tour of India 2024 where they suffered a 3-0 defeat.
Afghanistan has 6 more tests scheduled this year. In eight tests, they have won one each against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Ireland.
“It’s quite pleasing to be playing our first test against Sri Lanka, who have a rich history of playing test-match cricket,” said ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf.
“The year 2024 is packed with test cricket for us, as we will be playing several test matches during the year. Same as our white-ball lineups, we are committed to strengthening our red-ball cricket and building a formidable test side as well.”
The Newly appointed Interim Chief Selector Ahmad Shah said, “The team underwent a two-week preparation camp in Nangarhar followed by a 10-day conditioning camp in Abu Dhabi, which featured all the support staff to work with the players and ensure full preparation for the series.”
“We have thoroughly monitored the camps and have picked the squad which includes several new faces who have excelled well during the recent domestic events.”
Afghanistan and Sri Lanka will play their one-off Test starting on February 02 at Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground.
