Afghanistan announced their squad for the upcoming one-off Test match against Ireland as they included wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz who will be in line for his potential debut.
Gurbaz has been a prominent name in Afghanistan’s white-ball circuit but hasn’t made any appearance in the longest format of the game.
On the other hand, Yamin Ahmadzai and Mohammad Saleem Safi missed out on the selection whereas Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai returned to the side.
“Yamin Ahmadzai and Mohammad Saleem Safi who were part of Afghanistan’s squad for the Sri Lanka test earlier this month, miss out on the selection due to injuries,” said the ACB in a statement.
Legspinner Khalil Gurbaz, also uncapped, and who has played just ten first-class matches so far, made it to the 16-member Test squad.
Fast bowler Mohammad Ibrahim, who was part of the squad for the Bangladesh tour last year, has also been recalled as the 25-year-old also remains an uncapped player in the Test format.
“The team underwent a 10-day conditioning camp in Abu Dhabi, which featured 22 players and all the support staff to work with the players, and ensured full preparation for the series,” Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, ACB’s interim chief selector, said in a statement. “We have thoroughly monitored the proceedings and have picked the squad which includes several new faces who have excelled well during the recent domestic events.”
Mohammad Ishaq, who was the reserve wicketkeeper during the one-off Test against Sri Lanka, and spinner Qais Ahmad, who featured in the Colombo Test, were left out.