The ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 is all set to begin on October 18 in Oman. This tournament features eight teams, offering a platform for young cricketers from ??across Asia to showcase their talent. Divided into two groups, each team will play three matches within their group. The top two teams from each group will move on to the semi-finals, with the winners advancing to the final. As the competition progresses, it promises to unveil future stars of?? Asian cricket while providing intense competition among emerging teams.

Group composition and key competitors

Group A consists of Afghanistan A, Sri Lanka A, Bangladesh A and Hong Kong, while Group B includes India A, Oman, UAE and Pakistan Shaheens. Historically, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been the most successful teams in this tourn??ament, each boasting two titles. India, with one title to their name, will also aim to build on their success?.

This year’s tournament not only focuses on emerging talent but also carries a competitive edge, with top cricketing nations looking to groom future players. Each team will aim to capitalize on their opportunities to make a mark in the international circuit. With the semi-finals scheduled to take place after the group stage, the tournament’s knockout rounds will likely produce high-stakes encounters. The winners of the semi-finals will then compete in the final, slated for October 27.

Afghanistan A’s opening clash and competitive spirit

The second match will feature a Group A contest between Afghanistan A and Sri Lanka A. This game will set the tone for the rest of the tournament, as both teams will look to establish early momentum. Afghanistan A, known for their explosive young players, are expected to be one of the frontrunners in their group. On the other hand, Sri Lanka A will also aim to win and prove the??ir strength in t??his emerging competition. The contest promises to be a great encounter, offering a glimpse into the fierce competition that will unfold over the ten-day event.

Also READ: Men’s T20 Emer?ging Teams Asia Cup 2024 Schedule: Date, Squads, M??atch Time, Broadcast & Live Streaming details

Afghanistan A’s top-choice playing XI for the Men’s T20 Emerging Asia Cup 2024:

• Sediqullah Atal (c) – A reliable top-order batter and captain, Sediqullah leads from the front with aggressive stroke play. His ability to anchor innings is vital for the team’s stability.

• Shahidullah Kamal – A composed left-hander, Kamal brings balance to the top order. His experience in building partnerships strengthens Afghanistan A’s batting depth. He is an allrounder who could bowl left arm spin as well.
• Karim Janat – A dynamic all-rounder, Janat is crucial in the middle order with his explosive batting and useful seam bowling, providing flexibility in both departments.
• Mohammad Ishaq – As a middle-order batter and also a wicketkeeper, Ishaq adds resilience to the lineup. His ability to rotate strike and finish innings under pressure enhances the team’s chances.
• Numan Shah (wk) – A dependable wicketkeeper-batter, Numan’s agility behind the stumps complements his calmness while batting, often playing crucial knocks in tight situations.
• Sharafuddin Ashraf – A left-arm orthodox spinner, Sharafuddin offers control in the middle overs with his accurate bowling, while also contributing lower-order runs when needed.
• Qais Ahmad – A talented leg-spinner known for his ability to extract sharp turn, Qais is a key middle-overs bowler who can break partnerships with his variations.
• Abdul Rahman – A promising pace-bowling all-rounder, Rahman’s aggressive bowling and ability to hit boundaries make him a valuable asset lower down the order.
• Allah Ghazanfar – A tall off-spinner, Ghazanfar’s ability to maintain tight lines adds pressure on the opposition during crucial overs, often picking up key wickets.
• Bilal Sami – Leading the pace attack, Sami’s raw pace and ability to bowl yorkers at the death make him Afghanistan A’s go-to fast bowler in critical situations.
• Nangeyalia Kharote – A disciplined left-arm spinner, Kharote’s control over his flight and guile make him effective in slowing down the scoring rate, especially on turning tracks.

Also READ: Men’s T20 Emerging Asia Cup 2024:? Best playing XI for Bangladesh A

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The excitement is building up as the quarter-finals of men’s cricket competition in the 19th Asian Games approach, and cricket enthusiasts in Afghanistan have recently been given a reason to cheer after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) unveiled its formidable 15-member men’s squad for the marquee event on Wednesday (September 20).

The ‘Afghan Abdalyan’ team announced by ACB is a blend of experience and promising young talents, all ready to showcase their cricketing prowess on the grand stage.

Gulbadin Naib to lead the charge

Leading the charge for the Afghan Abdalyan squad is none other than the veteran all-rounder Gulbadin Naib. With a wealth of experience under his belt, Gulbadin had shouldered leadership responsibilities before when he captained the senior men’s team. He boasts an impressive international record, having represented Afghanistan in 79 ODIs and 59 T20Is. He was even part of Afghanistan’s recent Asia Cup 2023 campaign.

A squad with a mix of experience and emerging talent

While Gulbadin takes up the captaincy, the squad also boasts a lineup of players with international experience. Mohammad Shahzad, Karim Jannat, Sediqullah Atal, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Qais Ahmad, and Afsar Zazai are among t??he players who have represented Afghanistan at the highest level. Their experience will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to the team.

Also READ: BCCI announces major change in Asian Games squad; star India pacer ruled ou??t due t?o injury

However, the Afghan Abdalyan squad is not just about experience as it also includes emerging talents. Noor Ali Zadran, Zubaid Akbari, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, and Shahidullah Kamal are some of the promising young cricketers who recently featured in the ACC Men’s Emerging Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka for Afghanistan. The??ir inclusion adds a layer of excitement and potential to the squad.

The road ahead for Afghanistan in the 19th Asian Games

The Asian Games cricket competition is slated to be an intense affair. As per the tournament’s rules, Afghan Abdalyan will enter the competition from the quarter-finals stage, which is set to kick off on October 3-4, followed by the semi-finals on October 6, and the grand finale on October 7 in Hangzhou, China.

It’s important to note that the Asian Games has hosted cricket competitions twice in the past, and Afghanistan clinched the runner-up position on both occasions.

Afghanistan’s squad for the 19th Asian Games

Gulbadin Naib (c), ??Mohammad Shahzad (vc/wk), Sediqullah Atal, Zubdaid Akbari, Noor Ali Zadran, Shahidullah Kamal, Af??sar Zazai, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Karim Jannat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Nijat Masoud, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Qais Ahmad and Zahir Khan.

Reserves: Nangyal Kharoti, Mohammad Ibr??ahim and Allah Noor Nasiri.

Also READ: Shahid Afridi pens an emotional note for daughter ?Ansha after her wedding with Shaheen Shah Afridi; Umar Gul react??s

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