Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starting on February 9, 2024.
Mujeeb injured his right hand during the training session in Kandy due to which he will stay out from the 50-over contest against Sri Lanka. The Afghanistan Cricket Board tweeted for the same on ‘X’ and informed about the development.
Afghanistan Cricket Board’s tweet read, “Mujeeb Ur Rahman sprained his right phalanx (hand) during the training session yesterday which ruled him out of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Wish you a swift & speedy recovery Muj!”
Mujeeb Ur Rahman ruled out from the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka
🚨 INJURY ALERT 🚨
Mujeeb Ur Rahman sprained his right phalanx (hand) during the training session yesterday which ruled him out of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. 👍
Wish you a swift & speedy recovery Muj! 🤲#AfghanAtalan | #SLvAFG2024 pic.twitter.com/LzFdOnSvjg
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 9, 2024
Mujeeb Ur Rahman has not played any ODI match since November 2023. Mujeeb was part of the T20I series against India in January 2024. Mujeeb was also under the headlines due to his controversy with the Afghanistan Cricket Board. The spinner had urged ACB to not include him in the central contract list for 2024, as he wanted to play in T20 leagues rather than play for the national team.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman along with Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi were banned from playing foreign leagues for two years by the ACB. However, later all these players showcased their urge to play for the national side and later their bans were lifted by the cricket board.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman is a brilliant spinner who has a lot of variations which allows him to stop the batsman from scoring runs. Also, Rahman can take wickets with the new ball or at any stage of the innings and has a googly that cannot be easily picked by the batter.
Afghanistan will be led by Hashamatullah Shahidi whereas Rahmat Shah has been named as the vice-captain of the side for the upcoming series. In the absence of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Afghanistan’s spin attack has become a bit inexperienced. The Afghani team only has the likes of Noor Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi in the spin department and now the team will be more dependent on the pacers to take wickets rather than their spinners.
Afghanistan defeated Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup 2023 and will look forward to continuing the same performance in the upcoming ODI series.
Sri Lanka on the other hand will be led by Kusal Mendis and consists of many young names. Most of the names played against Zimbabwe, such as Janith Liyanage and Shevon Daniel whereas the spin departments have match winners such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dhananjaya, and Maheesh Theekshana. Sri Lankan selectors have also included Dunith Wellalage in the spin department who showed a lot of promise in the ODI World Cup 2023.
All three matches of the SL vs AFG ODI series will be played at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy. The first match will be played on February 9 whereas the series will conclude on February 14.