Uncapped Ghazanfar, Kharote named in Afghanistan's squad for Ireland ODIs

Rashid Khan (back surgery) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (right phalanx sprain) are yet to recover from their respective injuries, and hence, uncapped spinners Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar and Nangeyalia Kharote have been named in Afghanistan’s squad for the three-match ODI series against Ireland in Sharjah.

Ghazanfar is a mystery spinner and recently featured in the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa. Meanwhile, the left-arm spin-bowling allrounder, Kharote is averaging 54.75 with the bat and 19.07 with the ball after having played 18 List A games.

Right-arm seamer Bilal Sami, who was part of the reserves during the ODI series against Sri Lanka, has been promoted to the main squad. Legspinner Qais Ahmad has now been demoted to the reserves. 

"Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman continue to recover from their respective injuries and are unavailable for selection," ACB chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said in a statement. 

"However, we have included some of the top-performing youngsters in Nangeyalia Kharote and Bilal Sami. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar is a very talented cricketer and has demonstrated excellent skills during the U19 World Cup. He will provide cover in Mujeeb Ur Rahman's in the ODI series against Ireland."

Afghanistan became the first team to lose a Test against Ireland. The three ODIs will be played on March 7, 9 and 12 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Main squad - Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Nangeyalia Kharote, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.

Reserves - Zia Ur Rahman, Shahidullah Kamal, Qais Ahmad.