Tag: Afghanistan

DHAKA: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, with veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan missing out.

The all-rounder was recently banned from bowling in competitions governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). This decision came on the heels of an independent re-assessment of his bowling action revealing concerns over the legality of his deliveries.

Although Shakib Al Hasan remained eligible to participate as a specialist batter, the Bangladeshi selectors opted to exclude him.

Moreover, Bangladesh will also be lacking the services of another veteran player, Tamim Iqbal, who recently retired from international cricket, despite having been approached by the team’s white-ball captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, along with other key figures within the squad, urging him to reconsider.

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However, experienced players such as wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim and all-rounder Mahmudullah have secured their places in the contingent, bringing their wealth of knowledge and skill to the mix.

The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

Bangladesh are placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan and New Zealand. They will play their opening game in the tournament against India in Dubai on February 20.

Bangladesh squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.

READ: Tamim Iqbal retires from international cricket again

Rashid Khan is set to play Test cricket for the first time in nearly four years after the world-renowned spinner was named Monday in the Afghanistan squad for a series in Zimbabwe.

The 26-year-old missed Afghanistan’s most recent Test matches on medical advice to heal a back injury for which he underwent surgery earlier this year.

He last played a Test against Zimbabwe in March 2021 but has been featuring in white-ball cricket.

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The two-match Test series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe is scheduled to be played from December 26 to January 6 in Bulawayo.

“Rashid Khan’s return to the Test squad is a promising sign for our red-ball game going forward and we expect good performance from the team,” said Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) interim chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil.

Left-arm top-order batter Sediqullah Atal, who has played ODIs and T20Is, has been added to the Test squad for the first time.

Afghanistan Squad for Test series against Zimbabwe

Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhail, Afsar Zazai, Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad Malik.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed reacts to Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim’s retirement

Former England batter Jonathan Trott will remain head coach of Afghanistan in 2025 having overseen a breakthrough year, the cricket board said, hailing his “significant contributions”.

The South Africa-born 43-year-old has impressed in the role and was linked to the England job in July after Matthew Mott stood down as their white-ball coach.

Trott, who has been in charge of Afghanistan since 2022, took them to their first-ever semi-finals in any ICC event during the T20 World Cup 2024 in June.

“Afghanistan Cricket Board confirms the extension of the contract with Mr. Jonathan Trott, the national team’s head coach, for the year 2025,” the ACB said.

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“The decision comes in after his successful 2.5-year tenure, during which he made significant contributions to the team’s progress and development.”

Afghanistan will play in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, the premier ODI competition after the World Cup, for the first time next year.

Trott’s next assignment is the ODI series in Zimbabwe starting next week, but he will not be present for T20Is or Tests during the all-format tour because of “personal commitments”, the ACB said.

READ: Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi eye milestones in first T20I against South Africa

The iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium is set to host its 250th ODI on Wednesday with Afghanistan taking on South Africa in the milestone match.

Sharjah Cricket Stadium was inaugurated in 1984 during the Asia Cup with Pakistan facing Sri Lanka. Since then the stadium has hosted a record 249 ODIs, which is the highest for any venue.

It’s worth noting that Zimbabwe’s Harare Sports Club is second on the list with 182 ODIs, while the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground is third with 161 matches.

Afghanistan, due to the situation in the country, host their matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India.

They will host South Africa in the three-match ODI series in Sharjah from September 18 to September 22.

Schedule of Afghanistan vs South Africa series

1st ODI — September 18

2nd ODI — September 20

3rd ODI— September 22

Squads

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.

South Africa: Jason Smith, Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Andile Phehlukwayo, Andile Simelane, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne, Tristan Stubbs, Bjorn Fortuin, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, Nqaba Peter, Ottniel Baartman.

READ: Aakash Chopra ‘doubtful’ of India visiting Pakistan for Champions Trophy

GREATER NOIDA: The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was washed out here on Friday after five days of rain, just the eighth Test in history to be abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Afghanistan’s adopted home ground at Greater Noida, on New Delhi’s outskirts, has been hit by persistent rain over the past fortnight, forcing officials to call the match off without even staging the toss.

However, there were also questions about the venue, which was hosting its first-ever test and had only basic drainage and facilities.

Despite some sunshine on days one and two — and increasingly desperate ground staff using electric fans — the outfield remained soaked.

Afghanistan, who have been a force in white-ball cricket and hammered New Zealand at the T20 World Cup 2024 in June, are unable to host international matches because of the security situation at home.

“To try and play Test matches at this time of the year is tricky,” Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott told reporters, referring to Indian monsoon season.

“Disappointed that we weren’t able to play and the water that came down is unprecedented at this time of the year.”

New Zealand coach Gary Stead said they had spent the time in the gym and trying to amuse themselves at their hotel. “Lot of hallway cricket in the hotel,” he said.

“The most disappointing part for us is that we have lost that ability to be match-hardened and match-ready when we go into our Test next week.”

Tim Southee’s side, who did not complete a single training session due to the weather, will now travel to Sri Lanka for two Tests before returning for three more against India.

The last time an entire Test match was washed out was in December 1998, when New Zealand hosted India in Dunedin.

An abandoned 1970 Test match between Australia and England in Melbourne gave birth to one-day international cricket.

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The two teams in that contest decided to play a 40-over match on the originally scheduled fifth day once the weather had relented, and it was later officially recognised as the first-ever ODI.

Some unusual methods were deployed to dry the ground for the Afghanistan-New Zealand Test this week with fans used on wet patches that were also dug up and replaced with new mud and grass.

The tactics proved futile as unrelenting rain on days three, four and five pelted the ground, which was left with covers and puddles.

Afghanistan have successfully played six Twenty20 and five one-day internationals at the venue since 2017.

The country’s cricket board said they chose Greater Noida again over other options due to its proximity to the Delhi airport.

Trott said the abandoned match underlined Afghanistan’s need to have a settled overseas venue for their home games.

“If you have one fixed venue then you could iron out the issues that would arise,” Trott said.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered Afghanistan several venues to train and host matches outside their troubled nation.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials have been cautious about criticising the Greater Noida ground, fearing it could spoil relations with the BCCI.

Afghanistan have participated in nine prior Tests after getting five-day status in 2017 and made a bruising introduction in 2018 when they lost their debut match to India within two days.

They have improved in the years since, winning three Tests.

READ: Kamran Ghulam, pacers steer Markhors to dominant win against Panthers

Ace spinner Rashid Khan has been included in the Afghanistan squad for the three-match ODI series against South Africa this month.

The 25-year-old leg-spinner missed the one-off Test against New Zealand in India, which is likely to be washed out after four days of rain delays, because of medical advice to rest his back. Rashid Khan underwent back surgery in November after the ODI World Cup in India.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said Rashid returns to the squad but opener Ibrahim Zadran will miss the series in Sharjah.

“Afghanistan will have the services of its all-time greatest spinner Rashid but prolific opener Zadran was ruled out due to an ankle sprain in his left leg,” the ACB said in a news release.

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Another spinner, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, is still recovering from a finger sprain, it said.

Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the squad, while batters Darwish Rasooli and Abdul Malik, who played strongly in domestic one-day competitions, have been included in the squad.

Afghanistan and South Africa will square off in the three-match series at Sharjah Stadium from September 18-22.

Afghanistan Squad for South Africa series

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil, Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad.

READ: Champions Trophy 2025 will not be shifted from Pakistan, confirms ICC CEO

The third day of the only Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was called off because of rain on Wednesday, with the match in danger of being washed out without a ball being bowled.

The one-off Test was supposed to start on Monday but the toss is yet to take place because of rain and the poor condition of the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium.

Afghanistan’s adopted home ground outside India’s capital at Greater Noida has been beset by problems, with rain falling since Tuesday night on an already waterlogged outfield that caused the first two days to be lost.

The venue, which is hosting its first Test, has come under scrutiny for lacking world-class facilities and basic drainage.

Electric fans have been used in desperate attempts to make sodden patches playable at the ground, which saw dry weather and sunshine on the previous two days.

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Ground staff dug up one wet area refilling it with dry soil and laying fresh turf.

Afghanistan have hosted several T20 and one-day internationals since 2017 at the venue and their cricket board have defended their choice of Greater Noida.

“We considered three potential venues in India –- Bengaluru, Kanpur, and Greater Noida,” they said Tuesday, noting the first two were “unavailable due to BCCI’s domestic matches”.

It is only Afghanistan’s 10th Test match.

Tim Southee’s New Zealand are due to travel on to Sri Lanka for two Tests beginning next week before returning for three more against India.

READ: Key players return as England announce squad for Pakistan Tests

GREATER NOIDA: Ground staff used electric fans in an increasingly desperate bid to dry out the pitch with the Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand stalled for a second day on Tuesday.

The one-off Test at Afghanistan’s adopted home near New Delhi was supposed to start on Monday but the toss is yet to take place because of rain and the poor condition of the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium.

On Tuesday groundsmen dragged out tarpaulin to cover areas of the pitch in anticipation of more rain, while others held electric fans over some of the worst wet patches.

Ground staff also dug up a wet patch — in the cover-point and mid-wicket region — and were filling it with dry soil and fresh turf.

Umpires are due to hold another inspection at 3:00 pm (0930 GMT) to assess a possible start time at a venue which is hosting its first Test and where drainage is basic.

Despite sunshine on Tuesday the outfield remains soaked after days of monsoon rain, and chances of play appeared slim for a second successive day.

The first day’s play of the one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was called off on Monday without the toss due to earlier rain creating a wet outfield.

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The New Zealand players threw rugby balls around as they waited for play, but the teams spent the morning on Tuesday marooned at their hotels.

Umpires made repeated inspections throughout Monday at Afghanistan’s adopted home ground near the Indian capital New Delhi at Greater Noida, the first Test at the venue.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered Afghanistan venues to train and host matches outside their troubled nation, including in the northern Indian cities of Lucknow and Dehradun.

Lucknow and Dehradun were preferred options for this Test by Afghanistan, but those grounds were busy with local leagues.

The press box at Greater Noida was initially an open-sided tent with a rug and chairs, without internet or power, but were shifted after complaints.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials have been cautious about criticism, fearing it could spoil relations with the BCCI, but said they were disappointed.

“This is a huge mess. We are never coming back here,” an ACB official was quoted as saying by Indian media.

READ: Australia head coach reveals Steve Smith’s batting position for India Tests

GREATER NOIDA: The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was delayed again on Tuesday, with the toss still yet to take place, after overnight rain.

The toss was scheduled for 9:00 am (03:30 GMT) on Tuesday, day two of the five-day contest. However, despite a sunny morning, the outfield remains damp following 10 days of rain.

Umpires will inspect the field at midday (06:30 GMT) to assess a possible start at the venue, which is hosting its first Test and where drainage is basic.

The ground staff dug up a wet patch in the mid-on area — a trouble spot since day one — and are attempting to cover it up with artificial grass.

The first day’s play of the one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was called off Monday without the toss due to earlier rain creating a wet outfield.

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Umpires made repeated inspections throughout Monday at Afghanistan’s adopted home ground near the Indian capital New Delhi at Greater Noida, the first Test at the venue.

Afghanistan has hosted several T20I and ODI since 2017 at the venue, which lacks world-class facilities.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered Afghanistan venues to train in and host matches outside their troubled nation, including in the northern Indian cities of Lucknow and Dehradun.

The minnows have played nine matches and lost six — including their bruising introduction when they lost the debut match against India inside two days.

After the one-off Test against Afghanistan, Tim Southee’s New Zealand will tour Sri Lanka for a two-Test series, then return to India for three five-day matches.

READ: Rizwan banks on home crowd support ahead of Champions One-Day Cup

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi has expressed his wish to have one permanent home venue in India ahead of the one-off Test against New Zealand.

Afghanistan was granted Test status in 2017 after becoming a Full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

However, due to the political situation in Afghanistan, they cannot play international cricket back home in Afghanistan, consequently playing their home Test matches in Abu Dhabi and different venues in India.

They are set to host New Zealand for a one-off Test in Greater Noida, near Delhi, starting from September 9.

However, Shahidi has claimed that Afghanistan’s performance in red-ball cricket will improve if they have one permanent home venue rather than playing at different venues.

“If you see, India is our home and when we host teams, the other nations have played more cricket than us here,” Shahidi said while addressing the media ahead of the New Zealand Test.

“So hopefully we will get one good venue here in India and we stick with that. If we stick with one venue, it will be more effective for us.”

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The Afghanistan captain also expressed hope that in future they might be able to host test matches in their own country, however, until then he wishes to have a dedicated home venue in India.

“And one more thing, if you see our players, they have a good record in first-class cricket because we play in our own grounds [in Afghanistan]. We know our own conditions very well. So hopefully the time comes in future that teams come to Afghanistan,” he added.

“Hopefully, our cricket board and BCCI give us a good venue in India and we play a lot of cricket at one venue.”

Hashmatullah Shahidi also highlighted the lack of Test matches against top teams as the reason behind Afghanistan’s below-par showing in the longer format.

For the unversed, Afghanistan suffered a bruising introduction to Test cricket in 2018 when they lost to India within two days.

Since then, they have played a total of nine Tests against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Ireland.

“In six years, nine games is not, I cannot say it’s a lot,” Shahidi said. “If we get a lot more chances with the good teams, we will improve, and our cricket board is doing that job.”

” I think if we get more chances on a regular basis, we will improve a lot because if we see as a team and as a country, we are brave people and we always accept challenges.”

READ: Khurram Shahzad likely to be fit for England Test series