Afghanistan include uncapped seamer Abdul Rahman for Sri Lanka ODIs

Afghanistan have included 21-year-old uncapped seamer Abdul Rahman in their 15-man squad for the three-match One-Day International series (June 2-7) in Sri Lanka. He averages 44.81 in List A cricket but has been impressive in the ongoing domestic one-day tournament in Afghanistan, picking up seven wickets in five games.

Meanwhile, the likes of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Fazalhaq Farooqi, who are all playing in the ongoing Indian Premier League, are also part of the national set-up.

"It's good to have a couple of young faces for the series; the build-up for the ICC Cricket World Cup has already begun, and we are looking for every possible opportunity to build a good combination of the team and prepare them well for the event," said Afghanistan Cricket Board chair Mirwais Ashraf.

All three ODIs will be played in Hambantota. Afghanistan have already qualified for the 50-over World Cup in India later this year, while Sri Lanka will have to play the qualifiers in Zimbabwe and finish in the top two to make it through to the main tournament. 

As expected, Afghanistan are going with a strong spin attack, with the likes of Rashid, Noor, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the squad, while the pace attack will be led by Farooqi. In the batting department, Afghanistan will rely on Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran and Ibrahim Zadran.

Afghanistan ODI squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Abdul Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Ahmad Malik.

Reserves: Gulbadin Naib, Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia ur Rahman Akbar.