ICC World Cup 2019: Afghanistan squad announced; Gulbadin Naid named captain

Afghanistan have announced the 15 member squad for ICC Cricket World Cup and have named Gulbadin Naib as the captain even after senior players such as Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan publicly criticised the move to replace Naib with Aghar Afghan as the leader of the team.

Meanwhile pacer Shapoor Zadran, Fareed Ahmad, and top-order batsman Javed Ahmadi who were part of the squad in the recent series against Ireland have been dropped while and Hamad Hasan who last played for the national team in June 2016 finds a place in the 15 member team that will travel to England to participate in ODI cricket’s biggest tournament.

Hasan’s return a good news for us: Afghanistan chief selector 

Dawlat Khan Ahmadzai , the chief selector stated that as chief selector, it is his duty to select a competitive team. But he made it clear that there were some challenges that they needed to handle.

Afghanistan Cricket Board Selection Committee announced Afghanistan’s squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

Find out more: https://t.co/3FecMDpRcB#AfghanAtalan #CWC2019 #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/xCSFmXGLJV

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) April 22, 2019

He noted that they have selected the best squad considering factors such as experience, fitness, team balance, current form and conditions.

And he feels that luckily for them, the come-back of senior fast bowler Hamid Hassan is good news. However, they will take into account his form and fitness during upcoming practice matches.

Don’t forget to check India’s World Cup Squad 

Shirzad, Karim Janat selected as reserve players

Along with the 15-member squad,the selectors have named Ikram Ali Khil, Karim Janat and Sayed Shirzad as the reserve players for the World Cup.

Also check who made it to Pakistan’s World Cup squad

Only 40 days to go for @ICC @cricketworldcup 2019 !#AfghanAtalan #CWC2019 #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/edGfPBOd1x

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) April 20, 2019

Afghanistan’s squad for ICC World Cup 2019

Afghanistan start their World Cup campaign on June 01 by facing Australia.

Gulbadin Naib (capt), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb ur Rahman