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Three Afghans among ICC’s ‘selection’ for ideal T20 World Cup 2024 team

Six players from World Cup winners India make the cut including skipper Rohit Sharma and Player of the Tournament Jasprit Bumrah.

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Three Afghan cricket players have made the ICC’s T20 World Cup 2024 team of the tournament list. 

This year’s selection panel, which was made up of commentators Harsha Bhogle, Ian Bishop and Kass Naidoo and ICC General Manager of Cricket Wasim Khan, announced their selection on Sunday, which included Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Six players from World Cup winners India make the cut including skipper Rohit Sharma and Player of the Tournament Jasprit Bumrah.

The team of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 (in batting order) is:

Rohit Sharma (captain) – India

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper) – Afghanistan

Nicholas Pooran – West Indies

Suryakumar Yadav – India

Marcus Stoinis – Australia

Hardik Pandya – India

Axar Patel – India

Rashid Khan – Afghanistan

Jasprit Bumrah – India

Arshdeep Singha – India

Fazalhaq Farooqi – Afghanistan

Anrich Nortje – South Africa

Rohit Sharma will captain the team of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 after leading India to their second victory in the competition.

Sharma finished as the second top run-scorer in the competition, scoring 257 runs in eight innings. The pick of his performances came in the win over Australia, when he smashed 92, before adding 57 in the semi-final success against Australia.

He is joined at the top of the order by Afghanistan wicket-keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the only man to outscore the Indian opener.

Rahmanullah made 281 runs as Afghanistan progressed to the semi-finals for the first time in their history, making half-centuries in three matches. His 60 against Australia proved pivotal as Afghanistan progressed from the Super 8s.

In at No.3 is Nicholas Pooran, the West Indies wicket-keeper batter, who scored 228 runs at an average of 38, including a 53-ball 98 in victory over Afghanistan.

The second Indian player in the XI is Suryakumar Yadav, the hard-hitting batter rewarded for some crucial innings, notably in the semi-final against England, 47, and the Super 8s win over Afghanistan when he smashed 53 off just 28 balls.

At No.5 is the sole Australian in the team, with Marcus Stoinis included after a stellar tournament. Stoinis contributed with bat and ball, scoring his 169 runs at an average of over 40, and a strike rate in excess of 160. He also chipped in with 10 wickets across the tournament.

The next all-rounder comes from India, Hardik Pandya scoring 144 runs at an average of 48, while also picking up 11 wickets with the ball, and bowling the all-important final over to seal victory.

His teammate Axar Patel was similarly influential with bat and ball. The left-armer was promoted up the order in the final, scoring an invaluable 47, while his three for 23 helped secure victory over England in the semi-final.

Rashid Khan comes in at No.8, the Afghanistan all-rounder excelling in the Caribbean with 14 wickets at an average of 12.78 and an economy rate just over six.

He is followed by Jasprit Bumrah, the standout performer across the entire tournament. It was his spell that swung the final back India’s way, and he finished with 15 wickets at an average of just 8.26, with a remarkable economy rate of 4.17.

The final Indian player in the XI is Arshdeep Singh, who was outstanding in his second World Cup. His 17 wickets were the joint most of any player, including a crucial two for 20 in the final.

The only man to match Arshdeep’s wicket tally was Fazalhaq Farooqi, of Afghanistan, the final player in the XI. His four for 17 helped beat New Zealand in the group stages, as Afghanistan progressed ahead of the Black Caps.

Runners-up South Africa provide the 12th man in the team, with Anrich Nortje having been outstanding for the Proteas. He took 15 wickets at an average of 13.40 and an economy rate under six.

 

Related stories:

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Omar Zawak beat Ariana FC 2-0 in Afghanistan Champions League clash

Samir Samandari put Omar Zawak ahead in the 9th minute, before Hatim Sherdel doubled the advantage in the 37th minute.

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Omar Zawak continued its strong Afghanistan Champions League Season 6 campaign with a 2-0 victory over Ariana FC in the second match of the day on Monday.

Samir Samandari put Omar Zawak ahead in the 9th minute, before Hatim Sherdel doubled the advantage in the 37th minute.

Ariana FC were unable to find a response after the break as Omar Zawak comfortably protected its two-goal lead to secure another three points.

The victory leaves Omar Zawak still in third place in the Afghanistan Champions League standings after eight matches.

Omar Zawak now has 19 points, with a record of six wins, one draw and one defeat. They have scored 15 goals and conceded nine, giving them a +6 goal difference.

The team has also won four of its last five matches.

The result further strengthens Omar Zawak’s position among the leading sides as the Season 6 race continues.

Ariana FC remains in fourth place on 14 points after eight matches. Their record now stands at four wins, two draws and two defeats.

The result further tightens the battle near the top of the Afghanistan Champions League table, with Omar Zawak continuing to chase the leading sides as Season 6 progresses.

Ariana Television brings the action live

Ariana Radio and Television Network is broadcasting all Afghanistan Champions League matches live and exclusively on Ariana Television.

Fans are encouraged to follow Ariana Television and Ariana News’ social media pages for the latest updates, schedules, highlights and much more from the Afghanistan Champions League.

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ACL: Abu Muslim Farah maintain momentum with 2-0 win over Arman FC

Omid Rajabi scored both goals as the defending champions secured another important three points in Season 6.

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Abu Muslim Farah retained their position near the top of the Afghanistan Champions League table with a 2-0 victory over Arman FC on Monday.

Omid Rajabi scored both goals as the defending champions secured another important three points in Season 6.

After a goalless first half, Abu Muslim broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute, with Rajabi finding the back of the net to give his side the lead.

Arman FC were unable to find an equaliser, and Abu Muslim remained in control as the match entered its final stages.

Rajabi then completed his brace in the 90th minute, sealing a 2-0 victory for Abu Muslim and putting the result beyond doubt. Rajabi was also named Player of the Match. 

Their win keeps Abu Muslim Farah in second place on the league table with 19 points, having recorded four wins and one defeat in their five matches.

Abu Muslim’s latest victory further strengthens their challenge at the top of the table as the Afghanistan Champions League Season 6 campaign continues.

Ariana Television brings the action live

Ariana Radio and Television Network is broadcasting all Afghanistan Champions League matches live and exclusively on Ariana Television.

Fans are encouraged to follow Ariana Television and Ariana News’ social media pages for the latest updates, schedules, highlights and much more from the Afghanistan Champions League.

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Cricket Bonanza: Afghanistan set for packed international schedule

Afghanistan’s packed international programme gives fans plenty to look forward to, with Test, ODI and T20I cricket all featuring over the coming weeks — and Ariana Television will bring the action live to viewers.

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Afghanistan’s men’s cricket team is set for a busy run of international cricket over the next few months, with a packed schedule beginning this Friday when the national side takes on Bangladesh in a one-off Test in the United Arab Emirates.

The five-day Test begins on Friday, October 9, with live coverage on Ariana Television, marking the start of a busy period of cricket for Afghanistan.

The Test against Bangladesh will be followed by a three-nation ODI series involving Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, with matches scheduled from October 17 to 23.

The first two matches of the tri-series will be played in Abu Dhabi, while the remaining two matches will take place in Sharjah.

Afghanistan will then face Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series, with matches scheduled for October 27, October 29 and November 1.

The T20I series will be followed by a two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, beginning on November 5, with the second Test starting on November 13. All five matches against Zimbabwe will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

All of the matches will be broadcast live on Ariana Television, giving Afghan cricket fans an extended run of international action across all three formats.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced the Test, ODI and T20I squads for the busy schedule against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

Rahmat Shah will lead Afghanistan in both Test and ODI cricket after recently being appointed captain in the two formats.

He guided Afghanistan to a 4-0 ODI series victory over Ireland in August, while the upcoming Test against Bangladesh will be his first assignment as Afghanistan’s full-time Test captain.

Fast-bowling all-rounder Ismat Alam returns to the Test squad after missing the recent Test against India.

Middle-order batter Shahidullah Kamal and fast bowler Yamin Ahmadzai have also been recalled following strong performances in the ongoing Ahmad Shah Abdali First Class Tournament.

Shahidullah has scored 538 runs at an average of 76.85, while Yamin has taken 42 wickets at an average of 12.73, with both currently leading the respective batting and bowling charts in the tournament.

Experienced left-arm spinner Zia Ur Rahman Akbar also returns to the Test squad after being sidelined by injury for almost a year. Leg-spinner Khalil Gurbaz, who was part of Afghanistan’s Test squad for the Ireland Test in 2024, has also been recalled.

Rashid Khan and Ibrahim Zadran remain rested from Test cricket following medical advice against their participation in the longer format at this stage.

In white-ball cricket, middle-order batter Darwish Rasooli has been left out of both the ODI and T20I squads, while Mohammad Nabi has been omitted from the T20I squad.

Mohammad Akram, who recently made his T20I debut at the 2026 Asian Games, has earned a place in the T20I squad for the Zimbabwe series. Young fast-bowling all-rounder Abdullah Tarakhil has also been rewarded for his performances in the 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League.

Ijaz Ahmadzai and Shahidullah Kamal have also been recalled to the T20I squad, while Fareed Ahmad Malik, who was among the reserves for Afghanistan’s recent T20I series against India, has been promoted to the main 15-member squad.

ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said Test cricket remains a major priority for Afghanistan and described the upcoming matches against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe as important opportunities for the team, particularly its emerging players, to gain experience in the longer format.

He also said the ODI Tri-Nation Series will form part of Afghanistan’s preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, while emphasizing the ACB’s commitment to providing the national team with regular, high-quality international cricket.

Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) has the exclusive rights to broadcast Afghanistan’s upcoming international cricket matches across Afghanistan, bringing the national team’s Test, ODI and T20I action to audiences nationwide.

The agreement forms part of ATN’s ongoing commitment to supporting the development and promotion of sport in Afghanistan, providing fans with broad access to major sporting events while helping strengthen the connection between Afghan athletes, national teams and their supporters.

Through its continued investment in sports broadcasting, ATN remains committed to giving Afghan sport a prominent platform and helping inspire the next generation of players and fans.

Afghanistan Test squad

Rahmat Shah (Captain), Ikram Alikhil (Vice-Captain & WK), Afsar Zazai (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmanullah Zadran, Shahidullah Kamal, Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Khalil Gurbaz, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Yamin Ahmadzai.

Reserves: Baheer Shah Mahboob, Naseer Khan Maroofkhil, Bilal Sami, Bashir Ahmad.

Afghanistan ODI squad

Rahmat Shah (Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Vice-Captain & WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyalai Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Yamin Ahmadzai.

Travelling reserve: Qais Ahmad.

Afghanistan T20I squad

Ibrahim Zadran (Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Noor Rahman (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Mohammad Akram, Shahidullah Kamal, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Abdullah Tarakhil, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Farid Ahmad Malik.

Reserves: Faridoon Dawoodzai, Qais Ahmad, Nangyalai Khan.

Afghanistan’s packed international programme gives fans plenty to look forward to, with Test, ODI and T20I cricket all featuring over the coming weeks — and Ariana Television will bring the action live to viewers.

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