Naseer, the common captain for Afghanistan, is predicted to make a triumphant return and lead the squad, having recovered in time for the event. Numan Shah, the wicketkeeper-batter, has been appointed because the deputy captain, contributing to the workforce’s strategic management.
The squad boasts a mixture of skilled gamers and rising expertise, with the return of top-order batter Ali Ahmad Nasar, who missed the U19 Males’s Asia Cup 2024. This mix units the stage for a well-rounded workforce within the upcoming U-19 World Cup.
The inclusion of dynamic opening batter Hassan Eisakhil, right-arm leg-spinner Arab Gul Momand, and right-arm quick bowler Zahid Afghan, who displayed their abilities within the latest Youth Tri-Sequence in Johannesburg, provides a formidable edge to Afghanistan’s marketing campaign within the U-19 World Cup.
Their performances within the tri-series recommend they create beneficial contributions to each the batting and bowling departments, enhancing the general energy of Afghanistan’s U-19 squad for the upcoming event.
Naseeb Khan, the CEO of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, emphasised the workforce’s rigorous preparation, citing their participation in main occasions and intensive coaching camps over the previous six months. Expressing optimism for a stellar efficiency, Khan highlighted the workforce’s aspiration to copy the success of the earlier World Cup version.
“The workforce has been a part of two main occasions within the final month in addition to has been engaged in excessive coaching camps over the previous six months within the buildup for this mega occasion. We hope that the workforce will do properly and repeat their success from the earlier version of the World Cup. We want the workforce success within the upcoming occasion.”
The Afghanistan Squad for the ICC U-19 Males’s Cricket World Cup 2024 contains a gifted lineup, together with Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal, Jamshid Zadran, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Sohail Khan Zurmati, Rahimullah Zurmati, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Khalil Ahmad, and Zahid Afghan.
Three reserve gamers, Wahidullah Zadran, Nasir Hassan, and Usman Shinwari, bolster the squad’s depth, offering contingency choices for the challenges that will unfold throughout the event.
Positioned in Pool D alongside cricket powerhouses Pakistan, New Zealand, and Nepal, Afghanistan is ready to embark on its World Cup journey, commencing with a high-stakes encounter towards Pakistan on January 20 on the Buffalo Park Cricket Floor in East London, Johannesburg.
Earlier than the primary draw, Afghanistan will bear essential warmup matches towards England and South Africa on January 14 and 16, respectively, fine-tuning their abilities and acclimatising to the situations.
(With IANS inputs)
