AFG vs SA: Rashid Khan returns as Afghanistan announce squad for maiden ODI series against South Africa

The AFG vs SA three-match ODI series will be played in Sharjah from September 18.

Afghanistan ace leg-spinner Rashid Khan is set to return to ODI cricket for the first time since the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, as he has been named in the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

However, Afghanistan will miss the service of spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman, who failed to recover on time from his right phalanx sprain. Ibrahim Zadran, who suffered a left ankle sprain has been left out as well.

The three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and South Africa will be played from September 18 to September 22 in Sharjah.

Meanwhile, wrist spinner Noor Ahmed was also ruled out from an injury in his index finger. But Rashid’s return to the side helps them in making up for Mujeeb and Noor’s absence. Rashid has been out of ODIs due to his back injury issues since late last year.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has also called up uncapped speedster Bilal Sami and top-order batters Darwish Rasooli and Abdul Malik for the three-match ODI series against South Africa.

“Mujeeb Ur Rahman continues to recover from his injury and is unavailable for selection. “Ibrahim Zadran will also miss the South Africa ODIs for twisting his ankle on the edge of the New Zealand Test. However, we have included some of the top-performing youngsters in Abdul Malik and Darwish Rasooli. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar is also a talented cricketer and has demonstrated excellent skills recently and will cover for Mujeeb in the series,” said ACB chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil.

The three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and South Africa will help the teams prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Afghanistan squad for South Africa ODIs:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik

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