The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced a preliminary squad of 22 players for the upcoming Asia Cup, emphasizing confidence in star leg spinner Rashid Khan’s ability to bounce back despite his recent form concerns. Rashid, who will captain the squad and is regarded as Afghanistan’s premier player, opted out of the Major League Cricket after a lackluster IPL season but is expected to perform strongly in the Asia Cup, which will take place in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28.
Mir Mubariz, a member of the ACB’s selection committee, reassured fans about Rashid’s capabilities, noting, “Being in form or out of form, that’s a part of the game but he knows very well how to come back stronger.” The board plans to conduct a two-week training camp prior to the tri-nation T20I series involving the UAE and Pakistan, giving new talents a chance to prove themselves.
The squad includes potential future stars, such as top-order batter Wafiullah Tarakhil and pacers Abdullah Ahmadzai and Bashir Ahmad, who are part of the preliminary camp for the first time. The squad also showcases a robust spin unit comprising Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Zadran, and Mohammad Nabi, among others.
As the Asia Cup approaches, Afghanistan will begin its campaign against Hong Kong on September 9, followed by matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Mubariz mentioned that final selections for the World Cup squad would likely be drawn from this preliminary group, indicating a focus on development and preparation for major competitions.
This mix of experience and youthful prowess positions Afghanistan as a team to watch in the upcoming Asia Cup, providing fans with hope for a strong performance that showcases the nation’s growing cricketing talent.