Islamabad: Pakistani men’s cricket team has embarked on a journey to Dubai to take on Afghanistan in the T20 international series starting in Sharjah this week.

The team left the National Cricket Academy today, boarding a 4 pm flight with the national carrier. The three-match series, the first bilateral between the neighbors, will be played in Sharjah on March 24, 26, and 27.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Yousuf will not travel to the UAE because of personal reasons. Head coach Abdul Rehman will take up the batting coach’s duties in his absence.

14 players and nine support staff make the contingent. Naseem Shah is already in Dubai and will join the team today at the team hotel.

List of players who are traveling: Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Zaman Khan List of traveling player support personnel: Mansoor Rana (team manager), Abdul Rehman (head coach), Umar Gul (bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Talha Ijaz (analyst), Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi (media and digital manager), Drikus Saaimon (strength and conditioning coach) and Col (retd) Usman Anwari (security manager).

On the other hand, wily spinner Rashid Khan will lead a strong 17-man Afghanistan squad.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) chief executive Naseeb Khan said the best available players had been chosen.

Left-handed opener Sediqullah Atal has been added and could make his debut for Afghanistan in the series.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 22 2023

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