Afghanistan Cricket Board on Monday announced the 15-man squad for the World Cup 2019 to be played in England and Wales from May 30. “The final squad was shortlisted from the 23-member contingent that took part in the training camp held in Potchefstroom, South Africa,” the press release on their official website read. The statement also mentioned “(players’) fitness and performance over the last six months” as the selection criteria.
Former captain Asghar Afghan, who was axed earlier this month as captain, was included in the squad along with fast bowler Hamid Hassan, who last played the sport at senior level in 2017. Gulbadin Naib will lead the squad at the cricket’s biggest tournament.
Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Shahzad and Samiullah Shinwari have also been included in the side. Afghanistan will commence its ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 campaign against Australia on June 1.
The squad: 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.
