![Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1781682772275_MohammadNabiandAzmatOmarzai.jpg?type=hq)
Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai [Source: AFP]
The three-match ODI series between India and Afghanistan has reached its middle stage as India is set to take on the visitors in the second ODI on June 17.
However, in a massive revelation, all-important players Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai have been ruled out of the second ODI match, as revealed by Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi at the toss.
Afghanistan All-Rounders Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai Benched For 2nd ODI?
As Shubman Gill and Hashmatullah Shahidi walked out for the toss at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow for the second ODI, Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bowl first.
While deciding to bowl, Shahidi also revealed that veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi and Afghanistan's middle-order pace-bowling and batting sensation Azmatullah Omarzai will not be participating in the second ODI.
Although both of them had a dismal and worrisome outing in the first match, Shahidi clarified that their performances were not the reason behind their exclusion.
Also Read- Rashid Khan, Nabi Thrash Pakistan After Hospital Bombing Kills 400 In Afghanistan
Hashmatullah Shahidi Reveals Reason Behind Key Exits
According to Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi is sick and has not been well, and therefore will not be participating in the match.
He also revealed that Azmatullah Omarzai is injured, although he did not elaborate on the nature of the injury or how serious the concern is during the toss.
“Our boys have a lot of passion for cricket. It is the ability and skills of the players that they want to improve day by day. We have three changes. Nabi is not well. He is sick. Azmat is also injured. Sharifi is not playing. Bilal is in. Darwish Rasooli is coming in; he is the debutant. Another one, I don't remember it," Shahidi said at the toss.
Besides these two veterans, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi will also not be participating, with Darwish Rasooli coming in place of Ziaur.
Worrisome Form of Nabi And Omarzai In IND vs AFG ODIs
Mohammad Nabi's first ODI outing wasn't an impressive one. He was dismissed for just 9 runs off 14 balls as he came out to help set a target for his team in the first innings.
Coming in to bat after Hashmatullah Shahidi, Nabi couldn't live up to expectations and was dismissed early. With the ball too, he wasn't impactful and gave away 26 runs without taking a single wicket in his two overs.
Azmatullah Omarzai, too, was equally unimpressive, giving away 41 runs in his spell without taking a wicket, again, hurting Afghanistan.
With the bat, Omarzai is known to be a hard hitter and showed a good strike rate with a 16-ball 26; however, he failed to play a responsible innings and anchor his team to a greater total in the first ODI.
When Will The Afghan All-Rounder Duo Come Back?
Nevertheless, Hashmatullah Shahidi's comments indicate that their performances were not the yardstick for them being ruled out of the second ODI.
Mohammad Nabi's being sick indicates that he will get a span of three days to recover and might rejoin the team for the third ODI, which will take place on June 20.
Although the seriousness of Azmatullah Omarzai's injury hasn't been discussed yet, there is a possibility that he suffered a minor injury and will also be able to regain his form and come back with a bang for the last and final ODI of the series.
Also Read- Why Nitish Reddy, Harsh Dubey Are Not Playing In Today's IND Vs AFG 2nd ODI?
