Noor Ahmad returns as Afghanistan name squad for Pakistan ODIs

Afghanistan have named an 18-member squad for their upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series agianst Pakistan in Sri Lanka, starting August 22 in Hambantota. Wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad returns to the squad after missing the series against Bangladesh, while there was no place for Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, the left-arm spinner, and leg-spinner Izharulhaq Naveed, who were both part of the side's previous assignment.

Noor last played for Afghanistan in an ODI against Sri Lanka in June. He is currently in Sri Lanka representing Dambulla Aura in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023

Middle-order batter Shahidullah Kamal and left-arm pacer Farid Ahmad Malik have been named in the reserves.

Their star spinner Rashid Khan, who pulled out of The Hundred due to an injury, is fit and available for the series, which comes as excellent news with the Asia Cup set to commence on August 30. 

All three games of the series will be played in Hambantota between August 22 and 26. 

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) chief selector Asadullah Khan says that the aim is to provide the team with an opportunity to prepare for the Asia Cup and also the World Cup after that.

“Our whole concentration is to prepare the team for the upcoming two big events of Asia Cup and the World Cup 2023. This three-match ODI series against Pakistan provides us with a wonderful opportunity to prepare the team for the forthcoming two events," Asadullah said in a statement.

“The preparations for the Pakistan series are progressing well; the players have recently performed well in the Kabul Camp, which has been supervised by ACB's HPC staff. The team will also undergo a week-long conditioning camp prior to the Pakistan series."

Afghanistan squad for Pakistan ODIs: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Saleem Safi and Wafadar Momand.

Travelling Reserves: Farid Ahmad Malik and Shahidullah Kamal.