Ibrahim Zadran returns for Afghanistan in Champions Trophy squad
Prolific opener makes a comeback from injury but spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman misses out as he recovers from hand sprain.
Afghanistan have recalled fit-again batter Ibrahim Zadran to their ICC Champions Trophy squad, amid ongoing calls for teams to boycott matches against them due to the Taliban government’s crackdown on women’s rights since returning to power in 2021.
Opener Zadran has recovered from ankle surgery to make the 15-man squad named by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday.
Right-arm spin bowler Mujeeb Ur Rehman was not included in the lineup as the team management decided against rushing him back into 50-overs cricket after he sprained his hand last year.
Fellow spinner AM Ghaznafar has been drafted in as a like-for-like replacement for Mujeeb. Fast-rising opener Sediqullah Atal also secured a place in the squad.
“Zadran, who was away from action due to an ankle injury, has returned to the squad,” said a statement from the ACB.
“However, Mujeeb Ur Rahman misses out on the selection, as AM Ghazanfar, a similar mystery spinner, has made the cut for the mega event.”
Rahman was left out because “he has been advised by his doctor to focus on T20s for a while to ensure his full recovery”, added acting ACB chief selector Ahmad Suliman Khil.
Afghanistan have made impressive runs at ICC’s world events in recent years – finishing sixth in the 50-over World Cup in 2023 and reaching the semifinal in the T20 World Cup 2024.
This will be the first time Afghanistan participate in the eight-nation Champions Trophy, staged between February 19 and March 9 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
The country has brought in former Pakistan captain Younis Khan to mentor the side.
“Afghanistan have performed exceptionally