Hashmatullah Shahidi Leads Afghanistan in Upcoming Series Against India

Afghanistan's Squad Announced for India Tour

On Tuesday, Afghanistan appointed left-handed batsman Hashmatullah Shahidi as the captain for their upcoming tour of India, which includes a one-off Test and three One Day Internationals (ODIs) scheduled from June 6 to June 20.

The ODI lineup boasts prominent players such as Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Ibrahim Zadran. In contrast, the Test squad features a mix of seasoned players and rising stars, with Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Azmatullah Omarzai forming the backbone of the batting lineup.

Wicketkeepers Afsar Zazai and Ikram Alikhil are also part of the team, while the spin department will be led by Sharafudin Ashraf and Qais Ahmad.

The pace attack will be spearheaded by Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi, and Saleem Safi.

Notably, Afghanistan has made some strategic changes for the ODI series, reintroducing experienced players Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan for the white-ball matches.

The batting lineup is further strengthened by young talents like Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, and Darwish Rasooli, while AM Ghazanfar and Bilal Sami enhance the bowling options.

Ghazanfar, a young spinner, earned his spot after an impressive IPL season, where he took 15 wickets in 11 matches for the Mumbai Indians.

The tour will kick off with a Test match from June 6 to 10 at New Chandigarh, followed by a three-match ODI series. The first ODI is set for June 14 in Dharamsala, the second on June 17 in Lucknow, and the final match on June 20 in Chennai.

Test Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmanullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafudin Ashraf, Nangyal Kharotai, Qais Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi, Saleem Safi.

Reserve Pool: Bashir Ahmad, Bahir Shah, Ismat Alam.

ODI Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharotai, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Malik, Bilal Sami.

Reserve Pool: Qais Ahmad, Saleem Safi, Bashir Ahmad.