Afghanistan squad for Asia Cup

FE Team | Published: September 03, 2018 21:06:36

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday announced a 17-man squad for the upcoming Asia Cup to be held in the UAE on September 15-28, reports UNB.
Afghanistan are in Group 'B' alongside Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to play in the six-nation meet. The ACB announced the squad as the 4th nation among the participating nations after Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh will start their campaign taking on Sri Lanka in the tournament opener at the Dubai International Stadium on September 15 before facing Afghanistan at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi on September 20.
Uncapped 22-year-old wicketkeeper batsman Munir Ahmad got the maiden call for the national side while pacer Sayed Shirzad first call for ODI campaign for the ICC's new full member nation.
Asghar Afghan-led Afghanistan picked up three specialist spinners in their squad -- left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf, legbreak googly Rashid Khan and off-break Mujeeb Ur Rahman -- where experienced spin all-rounder Mohammad Nabi will be an addition.
The Group A comprises of defending champions India, Pakistan and the winner of the ongoing Asia Cup Qualifier 2018.
On completion of the group stage battles, two top teams from each group will move to the super-four stage, which will kick off on September 21. The final will be played on September 28.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on August 30 announced a 15-man squad with regular captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza leading the side.
India and Sri Lanka also announced their squads.
Squads
Afghanistan Squad: Mohammad Shahzad, Javed Ahmadi, Asghar Afghan (captain), Rahmat Shah, Samiullah Shenwari, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Aftab Alam, Ihsanullah Janat, Sayed Shirzad, Wafadar and Munir Ahmad Kakar.
Bangladesh Squad: Masrafe Bin Mortaza (captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Mithun, Liton Kumar Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ariful Haque, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mosaddek Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nazmul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman and Abu Haider Rony.
India Squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur and Khaleel Ahmed
Sri Lanka Squad: Angelo Mathews (captain), Kushal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka. Dhanajaya De Silva, Akila Dhananjaya, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Dusmantha Chameera and Lasith Malinga.