Cricket

Afghanistan's historic one-off Test against New Zealand in India has garnered much anticipation, particularly from Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin has highlighted the potential of two young Afghan batters, Riaz Hassan and Bahir Shah, who have impressed in domestic cricket.Ashwin believes that Hassan and Shah could emulate the impact of former Indian stars Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif, who played a pivotal role in India's Test resurgence in the early 2000s. He noted that both Hassan and Shah possess promising first-class averages exceeding 55."This one-off Test will be fun to watch," Ashwin wrote on social media. "Afghanistan produces insane talent, but they need solidity in their batting department. I'm excited to see what Riaz Hassan and Bahir Shah have to offer."Afghanistan's batting lineup has been a concern, with Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah being the only consistent performers. Hassan and Shah's inclusion could provide the stability and depth that the team needs.Ahead of the Test, Afghanistan batter Rahmat Shah expressed confidence in his team's chances. "We have past experience of playing in India, so we have an edge," Shah said. "We will try to give New Zealand a tough time."New Zealand, the inaugural World Test Championship champions, will be a formidable opponent. However, Afghanistan's familiarity with Indian conditions could give them an advantage.The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand will be a significant milestone for Afghan cricket. It will provide a platform for Hassan and Shah to showcase their talent and potentially inspire a new generation of Afghan Test cricketers.

Afghanistan has announced its 16-member squad for the upcoming one-off Test against New Zealand, scheduled to commence on March 9 in Greater Noida. The squad features three uncapped players: opening batter Riaz Hassan, offspin allrounder Shamsurrahman, and pacer Khalil Ahmed.In the absence of injured star spinner Rashid Khan, Zahir Khan and Zia-ur-Rehman will spearhead the spin attack. Fast bowler Naveed Zadran, who impressed with a five-wicket haul in the Test against Ireland, has been ruled out due to a side strain.The squad was finalized after a ten-day preparation camp in Greater Noida, where 19 players participated. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and the coaching staff consulted to select the final 16.Ikram Alikhil and Afsar Zazai will compete for the wicketkeeper's role. The squad also includes experienced players like Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, and Abdul Malik.Afghanistan will be eager to make a strong impression against New Zealand, who are ranked sixth in the ICC Test rankings. The match will be a crucial test for the Afghan team, which is aiming to improve its standing in the Test arena.