Naib back in Afghanistan's ODI squad for SL series; Rashid still recovering

Rashid Khan has not recovered in time for Afghanistan's three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which begins on February 9 in Pallekele.

Afghanistan's ace spinner underwent back surgery late last year and has not played competitive cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup in November. Qais Ahmad, who has played just one ODI for Afghanistan so far, will fill in for Rashid in Sri Lanka.

Noor Ahmad, who is playing for Durban's Super Giants in the SA20, will rejoin the national team and miss the final stages of the league.

Najibullah Zadran, who was part of Afghanistan's World Cup squad, was left out for the Sri Lanka ODIs, while Abdul Rahman was included only as a reserve. Fast bowler Mohammad Saleem was sidelined by a hamstring strain, according to an ACB media release.

Allrounder Gulbadin Naib, who impressed with his big-hitting in the recent T20I series against India, earned a recall to the ODI side. Fareed Ahmad also made it to the 15-member squad. Both were reserve players during the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Seamer Naveed Zadran, who impressed on Test debut against Sri Lanka, broke into the ODI side as well. He is uncapped in ODI cricket and has played only six List A games so far, picking up eight wickets.

"We have consistently striven to secure more bilateral cricket matches and create a busy schedule for our national teams," ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said. "This marks our third visit to Sri Lanka in the past 16 months, which is a promising sign moving forward. The selectors have selected a strong line-up and we eagerly anticipate an exciting series ahead."

All three ODIs will be played in Pallekele before the teams move to Dambulla for the three-match T20I series. This will be Afghanistan's first ODI assignment since the World Cup.

Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Qais Ahmad, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad
Reserves: Sharafuddin Ashraf, Shahidullah, Abdul Rahman, Bilal Sami