Afghanistan Announces 15-Member Squad Led by Rashid Khan for T20 World Cup 2024

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced a 15-member squad led by star all-rounder Rashid Khan for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, which will be jointly hosted by the United States and West Indies from June 1 to 29, 2024. The Afghan team will be aiming to clinch their maiden ICC trophy at the ninth edition of the tournament.

The squad features a mix of experienced players and emerging talent, with Rashid Khan spearheading a formidable spin attack that includes Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Nangyal Kharoti, and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi. The fast-bowling department retains familiar faces, with Naveen-ul-Haq, Fareed Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi providing pace options.

Notable inclusions in the squad are 20-year-old left-arm spinner Nangyal Kharoti, who made his T20I debut last month, and 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Ishaq, who was part of the Afghanistan U19 teams in the past. The team's batting will be led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Najibullah Zadran.

Why this matters: Afghanistan's participation in the T20 World Cup 2024 marks a significant milestone for the nation's cricketing journey. The team's performance on the global stage will not only showcase their talent but also inspire a new generation of Afghan cricketers.

Afghanistan is one of the first teams to announce their squad for the 20-team tournament, with the final deadline for squad submission set for May 1, 2024. Several other teams, including New Zealand, India, South Africa, and England, have already named their 15-member squads for the event.

The Afghan players, including Naveen ul Haq, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad, have been in fine form in the ongoing IPL 2024. However, the major exclusion from the team is ODI skipper Hasmatullah Shahidi, who is not considered a T20I option. The squad looks set to make an impact in the upcoming T20 World Cup with its dynamic spin unit and robust pace attack, as they aim for their first ICC trophy.

Key Takeaways

• Afghanistan announces 15-member squad for 2024 T20 World Cup, led by Rashid Khan.
• Squad features experienced players and emerging talent, with a strong spin attack.
• Notable inclusions are 20-year-old spinner Nangyal Kharoti and 19-year-old wicketkeeper Ishaq.
• Afghanistan's participation marks a milestone in their cricketing journey, aiming for first ICC trophy.
• Afghan players in fine IPL form, but ODI captain Shahidi not considered for T20I squad.