Cricket

Afghanistan, having secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, opted to bat first in the final encounter. The decision was made after winning the toss, with the hosts making three changes to their playing XI.Rashid Khan, the star leg-spinner who claimed a five-wicket haul in Afghanistan's 177-run victory in the previous match, was rested due to a hamstring niggle. In his absence, Nangeyalia Kharote and AM Ghazanfar will lead the spin attack.Afghanistan also included an additional seamer in 19-year-old Naveed Zadran, who will make his second ODI appearance. The other two changes saw left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi replaced by Fareed Ahmed, while opening batter Riaz Hassan was dropped for Abdul Malik, who will make his ODI debut.Afghanistan's decision to bat first meant that South Africa would once again face challenging weather conditions. Afternoon temperatures were expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius, with a real feel of around 46 degrees.South Africa, on the other hand, made only one change to their team, bringing in allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo for left-arm seamer Nandre Burger. The batting lineup, which has struggled against Afghanistan in the previous two matches, remained unchanged.

Afghanistan's young cricket team, with an average age of just 25, is poised to make a splash at the upcoming T20 World Cup. Their breakthrough performance at the 50-over showpiece in October, where they finished sixth ahead of defending champions England, has ignited hopes for a strong showing in the United States and West Indies."In the past, our victories against bigger teams were labeled as 'upsets'," said 22-year-old opening batsman Sediqullah Atal. "But that word is no longer in the dictionary. We are now ranked among the favorites."Despite decades of war and poverty, Afghanistan's passion for cricket has never waned. "When you have the support of 40 million people motivating you, it's an incredible feeling," said 20-year-old all-rounder Nangeyalia Kharote.The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has the full backing of the Taliban government, which has effectively banned women from sports. However, the ICC has allowed Afghanistan to compete in the World Cup despite their lack of a women's side.Despite the controversy, Afghanistan's cricket has flourished in recent years, with new academies, sponsorship deals, and tournament financing. Their first match at the 2024 World Cup is on June 4 against Uganda in Guyana."Our team has arrived and is playing at a very high level in a short space of time," said cricket enthusiast Afzal Khan. "They are our heroes, and they will always have a place in my heart."Captain Rashid Khan pledged: "We will shine well in this World Cup too, and match the expectations of our compatriots."Back home in Kabul, young cricketer Naseem Khan expressed high hopes for the team: "This will be the best World Cup for Afghanistan."

Afghanistan's cricket team has announced its squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Ireland in Sharjah, with two uncapped players making their senior debuts. Mystery spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar and left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Nangeyalia Kharote have been included in the squad, while senior spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman continue to recover from injuries.Ghazanfar, a talented young cricketer, impressed during the Under-19 World Cup and will provide cover for Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the ODI series. Kharote, also a former Under-19 World Cup player, brings versatility to the team with his all-round abilities.Fast bowler Bilal Sami, who was among the reserves for Afghanistan's recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, has been promoted to the main squad. Sami, who has played 10 List A games, has taken 23 wickets at an average of 21.60 and an economy rate of 6.21.Wristspinner Qais Ahmad, who struggled for control in Sri Lanka, has been demoted to the reserves. Zia Ur Rahman and Shahidullah Kamal are the other reserve players in the side.Afghanistan's squad for the ODI series against Ireland is as follows:* Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt)* Rahmat Shah (vice-capt)* Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)* Ikram Alikhil (wk)* Ibrahim Zadran* Riaz Hassan* Azmatullah Omarzai* Mohammad Nabi* Gulbadin Naib* Nangeyalia Kharote* Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar* Noor Ahmad* Bilal Sami* Fazal Haq Farooqi* Naveed Zadran* Farid Ahmad MalikReserves:* Zia Ur Rahman* Shahidullah Kamal* Qais Ahmad