AFG vs NZ: Afghanistan Name Three Uncapped Players in Squad for One-Off Test Against New Zealand

Afghanistan named three uncapped players in their final 16-member squad for the one-off Test and their first-ever red-ball meeting against New Zealand, scheduled to begin in Greater Noida on September 9.

Opener Riaz Hassan, all-rounder Shamsurrahman and pacer Khalil Ahmed are the three uncapped players who have been included in the squad led by Hashmatullah Shahidi for the solitary red ball game against Tim Southee-led Blackcaps.

Star all-rounder Rashid Khan is not in the squad as he is recovering from an injury. Zahir Khan and Zia-ur-Rehman will lead Afghanistan's spin attack in Rashid's absence. White-ball regulars Mujeeb Rahman and Noor Ahmad also don't feature in the group.

Gulbadin Naib, Fareed Ahmad and Yama Arab, who were a part of the preliminary squad announced last month, have been omitted, while pacer Naveed Zadran is also missing due to a side strain.

In total, Afghanistan has played in 9 Tests so far, having won three and lost 6. Their victories have come over Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Ireland. Skipper Shahidi has played in eight of the nine Tests for Afghanistan, of which three have been as a captain.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Karim Janat were not in consideration as they were not a part of the preliminary squad. Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai are the other prominent players part of the Afghanistan squad.

"The squad is finalized based on players' performance in the preparation camp. It is worth mentioning that 19 players participated in a preparation camp for around 10 days in Greater Noida and eventually, after consultation with the captain and coaching staff, the 16-member squad was finalised today," said Afghanistan Cricket Board in a release.

Afghanistan Squad for New Zealand Test

Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Afsar Zazai, Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), Baheer Shah Mahboob, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Shams Ur Rahman, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Qais Ahmad, Khalil Ahmad, Nijat Masood.