The Afghanistan Team Welcomes Naveen-ul-Haq Back After 2 Years

Afghanistan has named fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq in their squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup, set to commence in India next month. Naveen, who last appeared in an ODI match in January 2021, had taken a break from the format at that time and has not been part of Afghanistan’s 50-over teams since then.

Now, the team management has included Naveen to bolster their pace attack, joining forces with Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, and all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai. Omarzai, recovering from a side strain sustained during Afghanistan’s ODI series against Pakistan in August, has regained fitness and reclaimed his spot in the squad after missing the Asia Cup.

The spin department will be led by Rashid Khan, accompanied by the experienced Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad. The top order will feature Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Rahmat Shah, with skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi likely to bat at No. 4. Najibullah Zadran will strengthen the middle order.

Gulbadin Naib and Sharafuddin Ashraf, part of Afghanistan’s Asia Cup roster, have been designated as reserves, alongside Fareed Ahmad, who featured in the series against Pakistan. However, Karim Janat and Mohammad Saleem, previously part of the Asia Cup squad, have been excluded from Afghanistan’s World Cup lineup.

Afghanistan kicks off their World Cup journey on October 7 against Bangladesh in Dharamsala. Before the tournament opener, they have scheduled two warm-up matches, facing South Africa in Thiruvananthapuram on September 29 and Sri Lanka in Guwahati on October 3.