AFG Vs NZ: Afghanistan Name Three Uncapped Players For One-Off Test Squad Vs New Zealand In Greater Noida

Afghanistan will be missing the services of Rashid Khan as he is recovering from an injury. This is the first time Afghanistan will face New Zealand in a Test match.

Kabul: Three uncapped players – opener Riaz Hassan, all-rounder Shamsurrahman and pacer Khalil Ahmed – have been included in Afghanistan’s final 16-member squad for the one-off Test against New Zealand, scheduled to begin in Greater Noida on September 9. Star all-rounder Rashid Khan is not in the squad as he is recovering from an injury. Zahir Khan and Zia-ur-Rehman will lead Afghanistan’s spin attack in Rashid’s absence.

Gulbadin Naib, Fareed Ahmad and Yama Arab, who were a part of the preliminary squad announced last month, have been omitted, while pacer Naveed Zadran is also missing due to a side strain. “The squad is finalized based on players’ performance in the preparation camp. It is worth mentioning that 19 players participated in a preparation camp for around 10 days in Greater Noida and eventually, after consultation with the captain and coaching staff, the 16-member squad was finalised today,” said Afghanistan Cricket Board in a release.

Earlier, Naveed has been advised rest for three to four weeks. “Fast Bowler Naveed Zadran has been ruled out of Afghanistan’s only test match against New Zealand due to side strain injury. The physio has advised him to rest for 3-4 weeks hoping that he gets better before the South Africa ODI series in UAE,” ACB said.

The squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Afsar Zazai (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Bahir Shah, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Shams Ur Rahman, Zia-ur-Rehman, Zahir Khan, Qais Ahmad, Khalil Ahmad and Nijat Masood.