Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman has returned for Afghanistan after being named in the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, who is currently playing for the Ajman Bolts in the Abu Dhabi T10 League, hasn’t donned the national jersey since the T20 World Cup match against Uganda earlier this year in June.
After missing the limited-overs series against South Africa and Bangladesh due to a right phalanx sprain, the 23-year-old off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rehman has returned. He last played for Afghanistan in June and only recently returned to competitive cricket at the Abu Dhabi T10 on November 21, after a five-month break.
Afghanistan selector expressed elation on Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman’s return to the squad
Afghanistan have been bolstered by the return of Mujeeb Ur Rahman to the white-ball squads after he was named for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. Mujeeb Ur Rahman , who has been out of action for the last few months, recently recovered from his right phalanx sprain.
Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) interim chief selector Ahmad Shah expressed elation on Mujeeb’s return and also opened about the inclusion of Rasooli and Akbari.
“It’s a great feeling to see our frontline spinner, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, recover from his injury and be available for selection. He is an essential member of our squad, and we hope he continues to shine brightly for Afghanistan.
Additionally, Zubaid Akbari and Darwish Rasooli have been consistent performers, not only in domestic cricket but also in the recently concluded ACC Emerging Teams Cup, where Afghanistan claimed the title. We have included both players in the T20I squad and wish them the very best for the upcoming series,” Shah said in a statement released by ACB.
Afghanistan also called up top-order batter Zubaid Akbari for the T20Is after he performed well in the Men’s Emerging Asia Cup in Muscat, Oman. Darwish Rasooli also earned a recall to the T20I team.
Zubaid Akbari and Darwish Rasooli join T20I squad
Notably, the national squad has also included top-order batter Zubaid Akbari for the first time, for the T20I series. Akbari’s inclusion comes on the back of his impressive performance in domestic cricket and contribution to Afghanistan’s successful campaign in the Emerging Asia Cup. Darwish Rasooli, who led that team, has also been recalled to the T20I setup following his strong domestic form.
Afghanistan have added the 24-year-old top-order batter Zubaid Akbari to their T20I squad. This is Zubaid’s maiden international call-up. The selectors have also announced the return of batter Darwish Rasooli to the white-ball squads.
Akbari has been rewarded for his impressive outings in the recently culminated ACC Men’s Emerging T20 Asia Cup. Akbari was Afghanistan A’s second-leading run-getter in the tournament behind Sediqullah Atal. Akbari had scored 137 runs in four games at a strike rate of 137.73, including two fifties.
Ibrahim Zadran to miss Zimbabwe tour
However, Ibrahim Zadran will miss the tour as he continues to recover from an ankle surgery he had in England a few months ago. ACB Interim Chief Selector, Ahmad Shah said he was delighted with Rahman’s recovery and return to the team. He also commended Akbari and Rasooli for their consistent performances in domestic cricket and the ACC Emerging Teams Cup.
Afghanistan will face Zimbabwe in three T20Is on December 9, 11 and 12 at the Harare Sports Club. Thereafter, the three-match ODI series will take place in Harare on December 15, 17 and 19. The Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo will host the two Tests.
Afghanistan T20I squad
Rashid Khan (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Mohammad Ishaq (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Nabi, Darwish Rasooli, Zubaid Akbari, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad and Naveen Ul Haq
Afghanistan ODI squad
Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.