World Cup 2023: Naveen-ul-Haq back, Gulbadin Naib dropped from Afghanistan squad

Naveen-ul-Haq returned to Afghanistan’s ODI setup for the first time in over two years after being included in their 15-member squad for the World Cup next month in India. Haq had not played for Afghanistan in the 50-over format since January 2021. He has featured in seven ODIs to date, grabbing 14 wickets at an average of 25.42, with best figures of 4/42. Middle-order batter Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the side. Besides Haq, Afghanistan’s seam bowling attack comprises Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman and Azmatullah Omarzai. Allrounder Gulbadin Naib has been dropped despite recent good performances. He had led Afghanistan in the last World Cup where the team lost all nine matches and was subsequently sacked. But the medium pacer took seven wickets in the last three ODIs, including 4/60 against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in Lahore last week. The spin attack will be led by Rashid Khan, who will be supported by Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad. As for its batting, the top order comprises Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah, while skipper Shahidi and Najibullah Zadran will man the middle order. The likes of Karim Janat, Mohammad Saleem, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Suliman Safi were left out of the World Cup team. Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said the squad is strong and expected it to do well. “Naveen-ul-Haq returned to the Afghanistan ODI squad after a two-year gap for the World Cup in India and it is a strong squad,” said ACB release. Afghanistan open their 2023 World Cup campaign against Bangladesh in Dharamsala on 7 October. Afghanistan World Cup Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman and Naveen-ul-Haq.