Noor Ahmad returns to Afghanistan ODI squad for Pakistan sequence
Teenager Noor Ahmad seems to be in Afghanistan’s Asia Cup and World Cup plans having been known as as much as play a three-match ODI sequence in opposition to Pakistan. These matches, scheduled for August 22, 24 and 26, will probably be performed in Sri Lanka and are the one ODIs on Afghanistan’s docket earlier than they embark on the 2 largest tournaments of the yr in September and October.
Noor, 18, has solely performed three ODIs for his nation since making his debut in November 2022. He has, nonetheless, been one of many brightest skills on the franchise T20 circuit and gained appreciable acclaim enjoying for Gujarat Titans within the IPL this yr. The left-arm wristspinner at occasions out bowled senior professional Rashid Khan to complete with 16 wickets within the event.
Noor has additionally been a part of the Big Bash League in Australia, the Pakistan Super League and the Hundred in England as nicely. Although he wasn’t with Afghanistan throughout their most up-to-date ODIs throughout the tour of Bangladesh final month, he did play two of the three matches in opposition to Sri Lanka in June 2023. Those, nonetheless, had been chastening experiences for each him and the staff. Afghanistan had been overwhelmed after going 1-0 up and Noor took simply two wickets in 17 overs at a median of 62 and an economic system charge of seven.29.
A bulk of the squad that made historical past by profitable their first bilateral ODI sequence in opposition to Bangladesh have been retained. Izharulhaq Naveed, Nijat Masood and Zia-ur-Rehman, nonetheless, didn’t make the reduce.
ACB chief Selector Asadullah Khan stated: “Our whole concentration is to prepare the team for the upcoming two big events of Asia Cup and the World Cup 2023. This three-match ODI series against Pakistan provides us with a wonderful opportunity to prepare the team for the forthcoming two events.
“The preparations for the Pakistan sequence are progressing nicely; the gamers have just lately carried out nicely within the Kabul Camp, which has been supervised by ACB’s excessive efficiency centre employees. The staff can even endure a week-long conditioning camp previous to the Pakistan Series.”
Afghanistan and Pakistan have solely met one another four times in ODIs, and by no means in an precise bilateral sequence. At the top of those three video games, Afghanistan have a couple of week’s hole earlier than the beginning of the Asia Cup, the place their marketing campaign begins in opposition to Bangladesh in Lahore on September 3.