Afghanistan add uncapped duo Zahir Khan and Sayed Shirzad for one-off Test against Ireland

Left-arm spinner Zahir was not picked in the original squad due to fitness issues, but he has now received a clean chit.

Afghanistan have added the uncapped duo of Zahir Khan and Sayed Shirzad to their squad for the one-off Test against Ireland, set to be played in Dehradun from March 15.

Left-arm spinner Zahir was not picked in the original squad due to fitness issues, but he has now received a clean chit. “Both Zahir Khan and Sayed Shirzad have very good bowling records in first-class cricket and have played in the ICC Intercontinental Cup for Afghanistan,” Dawlat Ahmadzai, Afghanistan’s chief selector, said. (ALSO READ: Afghanistan’s proposed tour of Zimbabwe called off over broadcasting costs)

“We were awaiting Zahir’s fitness report when announcing the initial 14-member Test squad and now that he is fully fit, we have decided to add him to the squad.”

Both players made their ODI debuts in the recently-concluded ODI series against Ireland which ended in a 2-2 draw. Left-arm pacer Shirzad made his international debut against Oman in November 2015. “Sayed Shirzad is added as an additional pacer in the squad to have another bowling option if needed,” Ahmadzai added.

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