Star Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan has been ruled out of the first two ODIs of the three-match series against Afghanistan. According to the details, Rashid Khan, who represented Indian Premier League (IPL) season runners-up Gujarat Titans, will miss the opening two matches due to back pain. The Afghanistan team’s medical panel advised complete rest to Rashid Khan for the first two ODIs. Whereas, his appearance in the third ODI will depend on his fitness.

Notably, Rashid Khan enjoyed a sensational tournament in the recently-concluded IPL as he led the Gujarat Titans bowling lineup from the front; taking 27 wickets in 17 matches. He also accumulated 130 runs with the bat in as many matches. It is worth mentioning here that Sri Lanka will host Afghanistan for the three-match home ODI series ahead of the Cricket World Cup Qualifiers. For the crucial white-ball series, both Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) have unveiled their squads. Afghanistan, under the leadership of Hashmatullah Shahidi, will have the services of their star spin trio – Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

The trio will be further assisted by fast-rising spinner Noor Ahmad in the upcoming ODI series which is stated to play a crucial role in the team’s preparations for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. The squad also features 21-year-old uncapped pacer Abdul Rahman, who had a promising domestic season recently. Furthermore, former skipper Gulbadin Naib, who led the side in the previous Men’s ODI World Cup 2019 in England, is among the four reserves for the away series.

Whereas, Sri Lanka named a strong squad with the likes of both senior and junior players with pace prodigy Matheesha Pathirana, nicknamed ‘Baby Malinga’, who impressed with his brilliance in a title-winning IPL campaign for Chennai Super Kings, is likely to make his ODI debut. Afghanistan Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Abdul Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Ahmad Malik.

Sri Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha.

Series Itinerary:

2nd June – First ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium

4th June – Second ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium

7th June – Third ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP