![Afghanistan squad announced [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1780555196008_Afghanistansquadannounced.jpg?type=hq)
Afghanistan squad announced [Source: AFP]
The ACB has officially named a 15-man Afghanistan squad for a highly anticipated Tri-Nation One-Day Series in Sri Lanka, that also has an India A side.
Starting on June 9, 2026, and running until June 21, the competition will see Afghanistan’s rising stars lock horns with India A and hosts Sri Lanka A in a 50-over, double round-robin format at Dambulla’s Rangiri International Stadium. The top two teams at the end of the group stage will battle for the title in the final on June 21.
Emerging Stars To Play Fierce Rivals In Tri-Series
Notably, the tri-series is a deliberate push by all three boards to expose their high-potential players to quality 50-over cricket in testing subcontinental conditions.
India, who are using this as a launching pad before their senior team’s tour of the United Kingdom, have fielded a squad with an average age of just 23.
The inclusion of 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, alongside captain Tilak Varma and vice-captain Riyan Parag, signals the BCCI’s long-term vision.
For Sri Lanka, the series marks the carefully managed return of experienced wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella to the A setup.
IND vs AFG Contest To Be A Heated One
Afghanistan come into this environment with a point to prove. The ACB has consistently used A-team tours to bridge the gap between domestic cricket and the senior national side.
Now, any contest between Afghanistan and India at any level carries a layer of competitive history, and for players like Imran Mir and Khalil Gurbaz, performing against this opposition could accelerate their path to the full national team.
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After the white-ball leg, India-A will stay back to play two multi-day red-ball matches against Sri Lanka A in Galle, but for Afghanistan-A, the focus remains squarely on leaving a mark in the 50-over matches.
Imran Mir to Lead a Balanced 15-Man Squad For Afghanistan
Top-order batter Imran Mir has been given the captaincy for his consistency and temperament in domestic and A-team cricket.
The squad provides him with two solid wicketkeeping options in Noor Rahman and Mohammad Ishaq, both capable of batting in the top or middle order.
The batting unit features Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal, and Ijaz Ahmadzai, bringing attacking intent, while Baheer Shah Mahboob and Faisal Khan Shinozada add resilience.
All-rounders Farmanullah Safi, Shams Ur Rahman, and Zahir Khan Pakteen offer the seam-bowling depth crucial in Dambulla’s often flat conditions, and the spin-bowling all-rounder Khalil Gurbaz will be a vital cog.
On the bowling front, left-arm wrist-spinner Faridoon Dawoodzai provides a rare point of difference, while Mohammad Ibrahim and Abdullah Ahmadzai will shoulder the pace duties.
This mix of wrist-spin, left-arm angles, and hard-hitting all-rounders is designed to be aggressive in the middle overs, a blueprint that has served Afghanistan’s senior white-ball side well.
Afghanistan Squad for the Tri-Nation Series: Imran Mir (C), Noor Rahman (WK), Mohammad Ishaq (WK), Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Faisal Khan Shinozada, Farmanullah Safi, Shams Ur Rahman, Khalil Gurbaz, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Mohammad Ibrahim and Abdullah Ahmadzai
Sri Lanka ODI Tri-Series Schedule and Format
All matches will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, a venue known for its batting-friendly wickets under lights.
The action kicks off on June 9 with hosts Sri Lanka A taking on India A. Afghanistan A enter the fray on June 11 against India A, a fixture that will immediately test their nerve.
They then face Sri Lanka A on June 13 and June 19, with a second clash against India A sandwiched on June 17. Every team plays four group games, and the double round-robin format ensures that a slow start can still be corrected.
The top two will meet in the final on June 21. For the Afghan side, playing four matches in ten days against quality opposition is ideal preparation for the intensity of senior international tournaments.
India-A and Sri Lanka-A will challenge the Afghanistan team
The India A squad is, without question, the headline attraction. Tilak Varma, already an India international in T20Is, captains a group that includes the highly rated Riyan Parag, aggressive opener Priyansh Arya, and the leg-spinning all-rounder Vipraj Nigam.
In Prabhsimran Singh and Kumar Kushagra, they have two dynamic wicketkeeper-batters. Pace bowlers Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh, and Anshul Kamboj provide variety and speed.
Sri Lanka A, meanwhile, have shrewdly mixed youth with experience. Dickwella’s return gives them a combative gloveman and top-order batters who know how to read 50-over situations.
Leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and seamers Mohamed Shiraz and Garuka Sanketh will test Afghan batters with spin and swing, respectively.
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