Squads for MCC v Afghanistan fixture announced

Team Afghanistan have had a dream run in the recent past. They were recently given the Test status by the ICC along with Ireland. Now, they are all set to take on the MCC XI in a one off fixture at the Lord’s on July 11. The MCC confirmed their squad but were dented by a last moment pull out by former Pakistan cricketer Younis Khan. The MCC team will be led by former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum.

The star studded team will also boast of the likes of Misbah-ul-Haq and Kumar Sangakkara. Misbah recently retired from international cricket after leading his side to a 2-1 win over the West Indies side in the Test series in Caribbean. On the other hand, Kumar Sangakkara has been in a record breaking form in the recent times in the County Championships. Playing for Surrey, he recently hit five consecutive tons.

He also became the first player to cross 1000 runs this summer. In the bowling department, the team will have the services of two Irish players Tim Murtagh and George Dockrell. Also, there would be Surrey’s Stuart Meaker and Durham pace bowlr Chris Rushworth. The replacement for Younis Khan is yet to be announced.

On the other hand, the Afghanistan team will be fielding a full strength side going into the display fixture. Asghar Stanikzai, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Nabi, and Gulbadin Naib form the core group of the Afghanistani team. Young leggie Rashid Khan, who has been making giant strides in international cricket, will also be a part of the fixture.

MCC Squad:

Brendon McCullum, Kumar Sangakkara, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Samit Patel, Chris Read, George Dockrell, Chris Rushworth, Stuart Meaker, Tim Murtagh, replacement of Younis Khan.

Afghanistan Squad:

Asghar Stanikzai, Noor Ali Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Shafiqullah Shafaq, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Javed Ahmadi, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Afsar Zazai, Nasir Jamal, Farid Ahmad Malik.