“The National Team needs support and backup so that it continue to achieve success in the furture ” the ACB Chief Executive, Dr. Hamid Shinwari, said while announcing the team.
He added “our new A team will provide development and experience for these new talented players which will give us a larger selection pool for the main national team.”
A 15 day training session will take place in December headed by the former national team coach Taj Malik Alam. Mr. Alam has been apointed as coach for the A team as well U-19, on coaching the new players Mr. Alam said “They will be the stars within two years” and added “We will train these players to enable them to provide strong competition for the national team.”
Fazal Naizi, an all-rounder from Paktia province, who spoke on the behalf of the entire squad said “We are all very honored to be able to play cricket for Afghanistan’s A Team and by supporting the national team. It's dream of every young Afghan-cricketer and we have achieved it. Cricket is bringing our country together and we are happy to do our best for our country through cricket”
Afghanistan Cricket Board has been negotiating with the UAE Cricket Board to arrange matches for the A team against its UAE counterparts. The negotiations have been very positive and a series of matches will take place in the UAE over coming months. A long term plan has also been developed for the A Team, which will see the team playing matches against Pakistan, India and Bangladesh A teams.
Taj Malik Alam is very positive about the future of the new team and says, “We intend to give the new team a heavy training schedule, which will result in better achievements. There is no reason that this team cannot follow the National Team to an elite level of play and competition. The players are motivated and committed and we can take them a long way.”
Follwing players have been selected for the A team
Fazal Naizi from Paktia Provincial Team is an all-rounder player, a right-hands batsman and fast bowler.
Pamir Hussaini, is the captain of Laghman Provincial Team. He is a right-hands batsman as well bowler and has also represented Afghanistan at Afghan U-19 level.
Rahmat Shah, a member of the Khost Provincial Team and has shown value in 50-over matches. He is a bowler and a good right-hands batsman. He has made 50 runs in 50-over tournaments and took 18 wickets during latest the tournament.
Naiz Wali, from Baghlan Provincial Team, is a right-hand batsman and has participated several training sessions with national team
Imran Stanikzai, the younger brother of national team player Asghar Stanikzai. He is a batsman and has made more than two fifties in the last in 50-over tournaments.
Najeeb Tarakai, of Nangarhar province, is famous for making runs and plays as an opener.
Javid Ahamdi, from Nangarhar province a good player who has attended several matches with National team.
Noorulhaq Malikzai, of Laghman province, is a right-arm bowler and a batsman. He has attended 3 tours with the National Team. He was also the captain of the Afghan U-19 team during the last world cup.
Dawlat Zadran, from Paktia Provincial Team, is a bowler with a speed of 135 Km/hour.
Ali Ali, from Parwan Province Team, is a fast bowler and a very tall man.
Obaid Kunari, captain of the Kunar Provincial Team, has played with National team and is a bowler and can bat as well.
Shir Rahman, of Nangarhar Province, played with the Panjshir Provincial Team is an all-rounder.
Nasratullah, captain of the Panjshir Provincial Team, is a right-arm spin bowler.
Hamza Hotak from Nangarhar Province is a spin bowler and played in the U-19 National team.
Shokor Zaki also known as Zakiullah Zaki from Kabul Province, played with Maidan Wardag Provincial Team. He is a leg breaker bowler and represented Afghanistan with great success in youth teams.
Zameer Khan from Nangarhar Provincial Team is an all-rounder and opener.
Murad Ali, from Faryab Province, is a wicket keeper and has been representing Afghanistan in the latest U-19 World Cup
Abdullah Adil, from Nangarhar Province is a bowler and has played in provincial tournaments and has shown talent.
Shir Shirzai, from Kabul Province, is the Maidan Wardag Provincial Team captain. He was also a member of the national U-19 team as well former captain of the U-17.
Navid Sayem, captain of Herat Provincial Team, is a right-handed batsman and spin bowler.
