Afghanistan’s Cricket Team Faces Setback: Saleem Out, Sami In

Afghanistan’s cricket squad is facing a challenge as they prepare for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi. Right-arm fast bowler Mohammad Saleem has been sidelined due to a groin (adductor) issue.

According to a statement released by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), Saleem will now be under the care of the board’s High Performance Center for rehabilitation purposes.

In light of Saleem’s absence, right-arm medium pacer Bilal Sami has been selected as his replacement in Afghanistan’s squad for the series.

The 23-year-old Saleem has participated in two ODIs, both of which were against Bangladesh in July 2023. Moreover, he debuted in Test cricket against Sri Lanka in Colombo in February 2024.

Sami, aged 21, has played in one ODI against Zimbabwe in December 2024.

Throughout his 25 List A matches, he has secured 44 wickets, maintaining an average of 25.72. Furthermore, he previously represented Afghanistan Under-19 at the 2022 World Cup, where he took four wickets across five matches.

Most recently, Sami competed in the Ghazi Amanullah Khan Regional One Day Tournament, Afghanistan’s domestic List A competition, where he was the second-highest wicket-taker for Speen Ghar Region, claiming 10 wickets at an average of 22.90 and an economy rate of 4.97.

Notably, Afghanistan is scheduled to play Bangladesh in the first ODI on Wednesday, October 8.

Updated Afghanistan ODI Squad:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, AM Ghazanfar, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad and Bilal Sami.