Afghanistan recall pacer Hamid Hassan for World Cup

Afghanistan have recalled seam bowler Hamid Hassan after nearly three-year hiatus for the upcoming World Cup to be held in England, starting from May 30. Despite facing public criticism from senior players like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi for changing captains just ahead of an important tournament liked World Cup, Afghanistan have persisted with their decision to name Gulbadin Naib as their ODI captain.

Squad: Gulbadin Naib (C), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb ur Rahman

Hassan, who last played an ODI back in July 2016 against Ireland, has been troubled by heel, knee and thigh injuries. He has also not appeared in first-class cricket since December 2017 when he played for Band-e-Amir region. The pacer returned to the Afghanistan set-up for the T20I series against Zimbabwe in February last year only to be laid low by an injury during one of the training sessions. Hassan, who has bagged 56 ODI wickets at an average of just over 20, was a key part of Afghanistan's creditable show in the 2015 World Cup, ending up with eight wickets to his name.

"Luckily for us, the come back of senior Fast bowler Hamid Hassan is a good news. However, we will take into account his form and fitness during upcoming practice matches," Dawlat Khan Ahmadzai, the chief selector said.

Meanwhile, the selection committee decided not to pick Zahir Khan, Ikram Alikhil, Karim Janat, Sayed Shirzad, Javed Ahmadi, Shapoor Zadran and Fareed Malik for the mega event. All of them were part of Afghanistan's ODI set-up in the recently-concluded ODI series versus Ireland. However, Ikram, Janat and Shirzad have been picked as reserve players.

"The final decision has been made based on many facts and considerations. I would like to thank all those who continue to support our national heroes," Ahmadzai noted.

Afghanistan board was lambasted by Rashid and Nabi, both currently playing IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad, for removing Asghar Afghan as the team's across-formats leader and opting for split captaincy barely months short of the World Cup, though to no avail.Afghan, though, has been named in the squad.

Mohammad Shahzad, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran and Afghan are the mainstays in the batting department. Rashid and Nabi are the two frontline spinners. Both of them can also contribute with the bat lower down the order. The spin duo will be backed up by the promising off spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman. Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam alongside Hassan would have to shore up the pace bowling duties.

"As chief selector, It is my duty to select a competitive team. However, there were some challenges that we needed to handle. We selected the best squad considering factors such as experience, fitness, team balance, current form and conditions. We hope to play great cricket without any fear and with a fighting spirit in the tournament," Ahmadzai said.

The squad was picked based on a training camp held in Potchefstroom in South Africa that comprised 23 players. Afghanistan will commence their World Cup campaign against Australia on June 1 in Bristol.