Published: Jul 02, 2017, 04:24 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 02, 2017, 04:31 PM (IST)
In what happens to be the first match for Afghanistan at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, they will face the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) XI for a 50-over contest on Tuesday, July 11. The MCC team will be captained by former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum and will comprise of legends like Misbah-ul-Haq, Kumar Sangakkara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Misbah has recently retired from International cricket after leading his team to a 2-1 series win over the West Indies. Meanwhile, Sangakkara, in his last First-Class season, is playing for Surrey in the County Championship.
The former Sri Lankan batsman is in a rich vein of form and has scored six hundreds in 11 innings at an average of over 100. By doing so, he became the first player to surpass the 1000-run mark in this year’s Championship.
The MCC team will also include England all-rounder Samit Patel and former wicketkeeper Chris Read. Former Pakistani batsman Younis Khan was also a part of the team, before he withdrew his name from the fixture. His replacement is yet to be announced. The bowling lineup comprises of the Ireland duo, Tim Murtagh and George Dockrell, with Surrey’s Stuart Meaker and Durham pacer Chris Rushworth completing the list.
It’ll be a big opportunity for Afghanistan, who recently were awarded the Test status, to play against some of the legends of the game. Like always, the onus will be on the leg-spinner, Rashid Khan, to deliver for his team.
MCC squad: Brendon McCullum, Kumar Sangakkara, Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan (withdrawn player), ShivnarineChanderpaul, Samit Patel, Chris Read, George Dockrell, Chris Rushworth, Stuart Meaker, Tim Murtagh
Afghanistan squad: Asghar Stanikzai, Noor Ali Zadran, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Nabi, Shafiqullah Shafiq, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Javed Ahmadi, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Afsar Zazai, Nasir Jamal, Farid Ahmad Malik
