Champions Trophy: 3 Important Afghanistan players who missed out of the squad

Afghanistan has qualified for the Champions Trophy for the first time and has been placed in Group B. The team will play their matches against South Africa, Australia, and England. Afghanistan, dubbed as the legend-killers, has been in terrific form in white-ball cricket in recent times.

The team defeated England in the ODI World Cup 2023, Australia in the T20 World Cup last year, and the Proteas in a three-match ODI series in September last year. Afghanistan will walk into the Champions Trophy with a squad comprising of experienced and young players.

Here are three important Afghanistan players who missed out from the squad for the Champions Trophy:

1. Allah Ghazanfar

Allah Ghazanfar was named in the squad for the tournament; however, he sustained a fracture in the L4 vertebra and was removed from the squad. He has been replaced by Nangyal Kharoti in the team.

The 18-year-old spinner made his ODI debut for Afghanistan in March last year and has featured in 11 matches so far. He has picked 21 wickets at an average of 13.57.

2. Najibullah Zadran

Najibullah Zadran, the 30-year-old left-handed batter, has played 92 ODI matches for Afghanistan since making his debut in 2012. He has played a total of three ODI World Cups for the team. Zadran last played an ODI game in October last year.

Zadran is one of the six batters who have scored over 2000 runs for Afghanistan in the 50-over format. He has scored 2060 runs in 92 matches at an average of 29.01 and a strike rate of 89.10. He has one century and 15 half-centuries to his name.

3. Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the fourth-highest wicket-taker for Afghanistan in ODIs. He has taken 101 wickets in 75 matches at an average of 28.34, an economy of 4.32, and a strike rate of 39.28. He was a part of Afghanistan’s squad that featured in the last two ODI World Cups. However, he has not been named in the squad for the Champions Trophy. 

Mujeeb was the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded SA20. He last played an ODI game against South Africa in the ODI World Cup in 2023.

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