Huge blow to Afghanistan before Super 8 clash against India; star player ruled out of T20 World Cup 2024, replacement named

With three consecutive wins, Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan have qualified to T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 stage. Afghanistan have outplayed their opponents including New Zealand who they beat by 84 runs to make a statement. Afghanistan have booked their place in Group 1 and will face India on June 20. Before that, they will face co-hosts West Indies at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia. Ahead of the dead rubber clash, Afghanistan have lost the services of spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman due to an injury. 

Mujeeb's replacement

Mujeeb who took a wicket for 16 runs in three overs against Uganda has suffered an injury in the joint of his right index finger. The ICC Event Technical Committee has approved Afghanistan's request for replacement. Destructive opener Hazratullah Zazai who was a travelling reserve has been included in the squad.
 

Mujeeb has 59 wickets from 46 games including a fifer. His economy rate is impressive at 6.35 runs per over. The 23-year-old's replacement, Zazai, has 1,138 runs from 43 T20Is at an average of 28.45 including one century and three fifties. His strike rate is 133.09.

ALSO READ: Big blow to Team India, two star players likely to leave T20 World Cup midway and return home after clash against Canada
 

Afghanistan's Super 8 clashes

So far, Afghanistan's two Super 8 clashes have been confirmed. After facing India in Barbados on June 20, they will go up against the might Australians on June 22. Their third and last Super 8 stage clash is likely to be against Bangladesh.

ALSO READ: Shakib Al Hasan replies to criticism from Virender Sehwag after match-winning knock against Netherlands, says 'is expected of him'

IND vs AFG head-to-head in T20 World Cups

Afghanistan and India have gone up against each other three times in T20 World Cup. The first clash was in 2010 edition when India beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in Caribbean conditions. In 2012, India won by 23 runs. Nine years later, India beat Afghanistan comprehensively by 66 runs in Abu Dhabi.
 

Afghanistan’s updated T20 World Cup 2024 squad

Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Hazratullah Zazai. Reserves: Sediq Atal, Saleem Safi
 

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