• Source:JND
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Afghanistan has unveiled a strong 15-member squad for the upcoming 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India. The squad includes the return of Naveen-ul-Haq, who makes a comeback to the Afghanistan ODI team after a two-year absence. Notably, senior all-rounder Gulbadin Naib has been left out of the squad despite his strong performances in the ongoing Asia Cup.

This World Cup squad, captained by Hashmatullah Shahidi, features four changes compared to the group that represented Afghanistan in the Asia Cup. Players like Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, and Suliman Safi, along with Naib, have not been included in the squad.

Azmatullah Omarzai, who has recovered from an injury that kept him out of the Asia Cup, makes a return to the team. Naveen-ul-Haq, who last played a List A game in 2021, is also back in the squad. Naveen has seven ODIs to his name and has taken 14 wickets at an average of 25.42.

Karim Janat, who made a comeback for the Asia Cup after a six-year hiatus from ODI cricket, has been dropped. Despite Gulbadin Naib's impressive performances during his ODI comeback in the Pakistan series and the Asia Cup, he did not find a place in the World Cup squad.

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The remainder of the squad features familiar faces, with a strong spin department comprising senior spinners Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, alongside Mujeeb ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad. The pace attack sees the return of Naveen-ul-Haq and includes Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, and Azmatullah Omarzai. Afghanistan will be looking to make a mark in the upcoming World Cup with this talented and balanced squad.

Afghanistan World Cup squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq.