Wafadar, the Afghanistan fast bowler, has been ruled out of Asia Cup 2018 after he sustained a back injury during training.
According to the Afghanistan Cricket Board, Wafadar had a “nerve depression in his back” and was “advised rest for six weeks” by doctors. His return will be carefully managed thereafter. He will be replaced by Yamin Ahmadzai, who was already with the squad as a reserve player.
Wafadar, 18, was one of three uncapped players in Afghanistan’s 17-man squad for the tournament. He first came to prominence during Afghanistan’s maiden Test against India in Bengaluru in June.
He picked up two wickets – those of Murali Vijay and Hardik Pandya – and was particularly impressive in a couple of spells.
Afghanistan begin their Asia Cup campaign with a match against Sri Lanka on 17 September. Bangladesh are the other team in their group, with India, Pakistan and one of Hong Kong and UAE making up the second group.
Afghanistan squad: Asghar Afghan (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Ihsanullah Janat, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Hashmat Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Najibullah Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Aftab Alam, Samiullah Shinwari, Munir Ahmad Kakar (wk), Sayed Ahmad Sherzad, Sharafudin Ashraf, Yamin Ahmadzai
