PAK vs AFG: Najibullah Zadran ruled out, Shahidullah Kamal chosen as replacement

Najibullah Zadran and Shahid Kamal (Photo Source: Twitter)

In what has come as a huge setback for Afghanistan’s cricket team, their seasoned left-handed batter, Najibullah Zadran, will be absent from the upcoming 3-match ODI series against Pakistan. The absence is attributed to a knee injury, leaving the Afghanistan side to seek an able replacement.

The series, poised to commence on August 22, 2023, will be played in Sri Lanka, serving as a prelude to the impending Asia Cup 2023 competition.

The series between Pakistan and Afghanistan is set to unfold in a three-match ODI series, inaugurating today. The schedule is structured with the opening encounter on August 22, followed by subsequent clashes on August 24 and 26.

As both teams gear up for the ODI series, the series bears significance as essential preparation for the Asia Cup 2023. Najibullah Zadran’s absence from the ODI series due to his knee injury casts a shadow on Afghanistan’s batting prowess. Zadran, a seasoned ODI batter, has amassed 2013 runs from 88 matches at an impressive average of over 30. His record boasts a century and 15 half-centuries, underscoring his significance in the team’s setup.

Shahid Kamal, a left-handed batter, steps in as Zadran’s replacement and has been tasked with filling the void. Shahid, while relatively new on the international scene, has already donned the Afghan jersey in both Test and 50-over formats. His initial appearance in ODIs yielded a single run, but that doesn’t really showcase his potential. Notably, Kamal isn’t limited to batting; his all-round abilities extend to left-arm off-spin bowling, adding depth to Afghanistan’s resources.

The injury of Najibullah might be a setback for Afghanistan but it also gives an opportunity for young talent like Shahidullah to show his mettle on the International stage.

As the cricketing fraternity eagerly watches the Afghanistan-Pakistan series unfold, both teams will be looking to fine-tune their skills before the much-awaited Asia Cup. But one thing is for sure, the series is going to be an exciting one to watch because of the rivalry between Pakistan’s fast bowling prowess and Afghan’s spin bowling abilities.