Afghanistan announce their squad for 2023 World Cup

[BouncerGuy]

Pacer returns after two years as Afghanistan name World Cup squad

Afghanistan have named a strong 15-member squad for the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup next month.

Naveen-ul-Haq returns to the Afghanistan ODI squad after a two-year gap for the World Cup in India while senior all-rounder Gulbadin Naib misses out despite a good showing in the ongoing Asia Cup.

The squad led by Hashmatullah Shahidi features four changes from the group that played at the Asia Cup. The likes of Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Suliman Safi also miss out aside from Naib.

Azmatullah Omarzai returns from an injury that sidelined him from the Asia Cup while Naveen, who last played a List A game in 2021, also comes back into the squad.

Naveen has played only seven ODIs to date, taking 14 wickets at an average of 25.42. Janat, who was recalled for the Asia Cup after a six-year gap from ODI cricket, was dropped.

Naib, meanwhile, shone on his ODI comeback in the Pakistan series with the wickets of the openers in the third and final ODI and later took a four-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup, but found himself out of the squad.

The rest of the squad has a familiar look with the spin department stocked with some outstanding talent. Aside from senior spinners Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, the squad also features Mujeeb ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad.

The pace attack is bolstered by the return of Naveen, and also has Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman and Omarzai.

Afghanistan World Cup squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq.

Reserve Players: Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Farid Ahmad Malik​

 

[BouncerGuy]

Speaking in an interview Afghanistan assistant coach Raees Ahmadzai said:

“We can’t look for excuses any longer. We now have enough experience in our squad, so it’s time for us to make a statement,”

“We’ll first be going to Dubai, where there will be fitness programmes. The skills part will be done in Abu Dhabi thereafter. After nine to 10 days in the UAE, we’ll be heading to India around September 26,”

“We wanted our players to spend some time with their families after the Asia Cup and have a bit of rest as well ahead of a long and hectic tournament like the World Cup.

“Also, these are Asian conditions, after all. So, there’s not such a huge difference between India and the UAE in that regard. We’ll be fully focused on our preparation in the coming days.”​

 

[mominsaigol]

I would have dropped farooqi, The rest are good.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I would have dropped farooqi, The rest are good.

Farooqi is their best fast bowler for sure. They will never drop him. Afghanistan has a good bowling unit with 3 top class spinners in their squad. The inclusion of Naveen is also good for them.

 

[mominsaigol]

Farooqi is their best fast bowler for sure. They will never drop him. Afghanistan has a good bowling unit with 3 top class spinners in their squad. The inclusion of Naveen is also good for them.

Yh but he's the biggest bottler I have ever seen.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Yh but he's the biggest bottler I have ever seen.

I think he is still feeling the aftershocks of those Naseem Shah finishes against him. But he is a good bowler, there is always room for improvement but he can bowl some good stuff in the start.

 

[Major]

I would have dropped farooqi, The rest are good.

he is there best pacer

 

[Major]

Not a very good squad, some more players could had been added.

It is going to be a spinners tournament, so its good that Nabi, Rashid and Mujeeb will be in the playing 11. I would had preferred if they had also added Shrafuddin Ashraf in the squad aswel. I wonder if Noor Ahmad will be given games.

Issue is with the batting and the pace bowling somewhat.

Ikram Khil is a sifarishi by the looks of it. He has a terrible batting record yet he is in the squads? THey should had gone with Darwish Rashooli or Bahir Shah.

Azmatullah also sucks, would had preferred if they went for a proper pacer in Afghanistan.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Afghanistan has balanced squad and they have experience of playing in India. Afghanistan will definitely upset one of Big3 in this world cup. Mark my words

 

[BouncerGuy]

Afghanistan has balanced squad and they have experience of playing in India. Afghanistan will definitely upset one of Big3 in this world cup. Mark my words

I can see that upset coming as well. Not against India but may be some other team.

 

[hassan918]

They have a pretty decent bowling attack for Indian conditions but it will be their batting that will be the key for their success in the tournament. If the batters able to put up a decent total on board then they will have a chance to making a few upsets in the tournament.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Afg must play 3 spinners + Nabi as all rounder.

Rashid Khan, Mujeeb and Noor Ahmed all 3 must play if they want to have any success.

Batting is lacking punch as usual.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Afghanistan hope new found batting confidence bolsters their spin genius

Afghanistan’s build up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 hasn’t been the smoothest, but if their big names manage to fire, the Asian side can cause some excitement over the coming weeks.

Squad:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Naveen ul Haq.

Best finish at the tournament:

Sixth position in Pool A (2015 Cricket World Cup)

Afghanistan’s debut in the global mega event was competitive, but they were still far behind the Test playing countries. They lost all their five encounters against them.

Their only win came in a thriller against Scotland. After bowling out the European side for 210, Afghanistan were in dire straits at 132/8 before a resolute ninth wicket stand between Samiullah Shinwari and Hamid Hassan got them to 192. However, Shinwari’s dismissal brought Scotland back into the game. However, Hassan and Shapoor Zadran kept their cool and delivered a one-wicket win in the final over.

2015 CWC | Afghanistan beat Scotland for first win:

This remains Afghanistan’s only win at the Cricket World Cup.

Results in the last 10 ODI games:

(Most recent first): L L L L L L W W L L

Fixtures:

vs Bangladesh (7 October), Dharamsala
vs India (11 October), Delhi
vs England (15 October), Delhi
vs New Zealand (18 October), Chennai
vs Pakistan (23 October), Chennai
vs Sri Lanka (30 October), Pune
vs Netherlands (3 November), Lucknow
vs Australia (7 November), Mumbai (Wankhede)
vs South Africa (10 November), Ahmedabad

Key Match: vs Pakistan (23 October)

Though Pakistan has beaten Afghanistan in all seven of their previous ODI meetings, there is an added enthusiasm whenever these two sides meet. Afghanistan have shown the propensity to lift their game against Pakistan. They have produced some scintillating cricket whenever they’ve gone up against their neighboring rivals.

The two sides have featured in a number of nail-biting contests across formats, including their last World Cup encounter, which Pakistan won by three wickets.

Afghanistan will also be chuffed by their T20I series win against the same opponents in March 2023. Afghanistan’s top-order has shown that it is capable of handling the Pakistan attack, meanwhile, their spinners can take control of the middle overs.

The overall experience of Pakistan players gives them an edge over Afghanistan. However, if the latter stick to their basics, one can expect a cracker of a contest on 23 October.

Key Player:

For the longest time, Afghanistan’s biggest weakness has been the inability of their batters to match up to the quality of their world-class spinners. Of late, they have improved in the department, and among those leading the charge is their young gun, Ibrahim Zadran.

The 21-year-old has four ODI hundreds to his name and is closing in on a 1,000 runs in the format. A big plus to his batting is his consistency. He averages 53.58 with the willow, which is the highest for any Afghanistan batter, and has delivered several stable stands along with Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Gurbaz-Zadran can set up a strong base at the top, which can be exploited by Afghanistan’s power hitters down the order. Zadran’s stable approach at the top can prove to be the game-changer for Afghanistan in this World Cup campaign.

Summary:

Despite their poor run going into the World Cup, it is tough to ignore Afghanistan’s presence in the competition. The sheer quality that they carry within their ranks can prove to be the undoing of any side in the World Cup.

Their batting has improved over the last few months. They have posted competitive totals quite regularly and have been able to challenge stronger sides. They nearly beat Pakistan after scoring 300/5 at Hambantota in August, and almost shocked Sri Lanka out of the Asia Cup in Lahore.

Since the pandemic, they've won ODI series against Ireland, Netherlands, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. They have also drawn an ODI series against Sri Lanka.

For Afghanistan, the strongest suit in the World Cup are their spinners: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammed Nabi, and Noor Ahmad. With more than 400 ODI wickets among them, this quartet can prove to be the difference in Indian conditions. Each brings their unique style, and have managed to outfox the best of batters across the world.

To add, Rashid and Nabi’s batting capabilities are an added advantage to the side.

While the pace attack is still raw, Fazalhaz Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq have shown they are fast learners. They can play a good supporting hand to the Afghan tweakers.

Overall, of all their World Cup appearances so far, Afghanistan appear to be at their strongest in 2023. They might not have the biggest of names, but if the outfit figures out the right combinations and starts gelling well early in the tournament, the Asian side can cause a few upsets in the upcoming weeks.
ICC

 

[FearlessRoar]

Naveen Ul Haq has retired his retirement from ODI format after WC2023. He will continue to play for Afghan Team in T20Is

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[Cricket Warrior]

Hopefully they will improve their stats in this ICC World Cup 2023

 

[ExpressPacer]

Naveen Ul Haq has retired his retirement from ODI format after WC2023. He will continue to play for Afghan Team in T20Is

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Who even is this guy lol

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Naveen Ul Haq has retired his retirement from ODI format after WC2023. He will continue to play for Afghan Team in T20Is

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Inspired by Amir i guess.

too young to take retirement from ODIs.

 

[Hassan A]

Rashid Khan has been playing all these years so probably he knows best

https://twitter.com/x/status/1708539335971086554

 

[FearlessRoar]

Afghanistan have appointed a former India star as their mentor for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.

Former India captain Ajay Jadeja has assumed the role of mentor of Afghanistan for the duration of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed on Monday, 02 October.

Jadeja arrives with a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of Indian conditions. His impressive ODI record boasts 196 matches, amassing 5359 runs at an average of 37.47, including six centuries and 30 half-centuries. In addition, Jadeja represented India in 15 Test matches between 1992 and 2000.

He was also part of India's World Cup squad in three editions in 1992, 1996 and 1999. One of the standout moments from India's 1992 World Cup campaign was when Jadeja took a remarkable catch to dismiss Allan Border during their group-stage match against Australia.

Afghanistan is currently in India, gearing up for the World Cup. However, their preparation was hampered during the first round of warm-up games after their match against South Africa was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to heavy rain in Thiruvananthapuram.

They will be in action again on Tuesday, 3 October against Sri Lanka in Guwahati as they look to get some game time ahead of the tournament.

Afghanistan's World Cup campaign begins on 7 October when they take on Asian rivals Bangladesh at the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.

Source: ICC

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Rotating the strike is the biggest problem for Afghanistan. They play too many dot balls and start hitting once the pressure is on, eventually losing wickets. This is a typical batting template. They really need to work on taking singles and doubles.

 

[hassan918]

Many people were not sure when Hashmatullah was given captaincy but under his captaincy the team has been performing great. He looks a calm and composed character and likely to captain the Afghanistan national side for a long time.

 

[Savak]

Appointing Ajay Jadeja as a consultant, advisor was another master stroke. Very important to have someone on the bench with expert knowledge on local conditions.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Making their fans proud and entertaining is all along the wayz

What a tournament it’s been for Afganistan.

They’re no pushover in these conditions.

Afghanistan is frankly giving Bharat 1980s, Sri Lanka 1990s vibes. They’re not the best unit out there but some luck their way and they can beat any team on a given day.

This format is actually not in their favour because the longer round robins are originally meant to ensure the so called top teams eventually rise to the top.

If we had groups, Afghanistan could have sneaked past some top tier teams into semis and then you never know.