Afghanistan has given fast bowler Mohammad Saleem Safi a spot in their ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against India, thanks to his impressive performance in the recent one-off Test. The right-arm pacer stood out as one of the few bright spots for Afghanistan during a tough match in New Chandigarh, where he took six wickets against a formidable Indian batting lineup. His knack for generating pace on a challenging pitch really caught the selectors’ eyes, leading to his inclusion in the squad for the ODIs starting June 13 in Dharamshala.
This call-up is a big milestone in Saleem’s journey with the national team. Initially brought in just for the Test squad, he showcased his stamina and precision while bowling lengthy spells in tough conditions.
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Afghanistan’s head coach, Richard Pybus, commended, “He was just fantastic. If you come here and you take six wickets in extreme heat against high-quality batting, that goes very well, not just for him as a bowler, but for us as a side.”
Mohammad Saleem’s ODI Opportunity
Saleem’s selection comes on the heels of his impressive performance, where he took 6 wickets for 140 runs in the one-off Test against India. He bowled 23 overs, consistently hitting speeds around 140 kph, even in the sweltering heat. Notably, he managed to dismiss several crucial Indian batsmen, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and captain Shubman Gill. His bowling spell was particularly remarkable given that the pitch provided minimal help for fast bowlers.
At just 23 years old, Saleem has already played two ODIs for Afghanistan, both against Bangladesh in July 2023. However, he’s still on the hunt for his first wicket in this format. Across those matches, he bowled a total of 10.2 overs and gave away 70 runs without taking a wicket. The upcoming series offers him a great chance to make his mark and secure a spot in Afghanistan’s white-ball strategy.
In the meantime, Afghanistan is looking forward to having their star spinner, Rashid Khan, join the team directly in Dharamshala ahead of the first ODI. Senior all-rounder Mohammad Nabi is still with the squad, but he’s feeling under the weather and missed a recent training session in Mohali.
Afghanistan’s ODI squad is still under the leadership of Hashmatullah Shahidi and features seasoned players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi. The three-match series will take place in Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai, marking a crucial opportunity for both teams as they gear up for the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup.
Afghanistan’s squad for the 3-match ODI series against India
Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Malik, Bilal Sami, Mohammad Saleem.
