Rashid, Nabi have now understood why we sacked Asghar ahead of WC: Afghan chief selector

Afghanistan chief selector Dawlat Khan Ahmadzai Tuesday justified the unexpected sacking of ODI skipper Asghar Afghan ahead of the World Cup, saying the decision was taken looking at the long-term future of the team.

The three-member selection panel led by Ahmadzai announced three captains for three formats last month, in a move that led to unrest in the team with star players Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi openly voicing their concerns over the timing of the decision.

"We realised that we can't win the World Cup at this moment under Asghar's captaincy or anyone else who would have been in charge. We made the decision not just thinking about this World Cup, we are thinking about the 2023 edition.

"We will be getting 10 matches with full members and we feel it will provide perfect training for the new captain (Gulbadin Naib)," said Ahmadzai, who is a former Afghanistan fast bowler, in response to a PTI query.

Asked about the need for announcing split captaincy less than two months from the World Cup, the chief selector said: "Like you are expressing your concern to me, there were concerns expressed by the players (Rashid and Nabi) and the entire issue was handled professionally.

"They felt it was not the right time to change captaincy but later understood that it was in the best interest of the team."
On a lighter note, Afghanistan CEO Asadullah Khan, who was sitting alongside the chief selector, said: "M S Dhoni also plays under Virat Kohli."
Asked why he was not chosen to lead the team in the World Cup beginning May 30 in the UK, Ahmadzai said: "Rashid is not ready for all formats but he is ready for T20. He is too busy playing (all around the world)."
"There was no Rashid or Mujeeb in 2015 so this time we are aiming for a semifinal berth. With the team composition we have, we can definitely surprise a few teams."
"Hamid Hasan is back into the fast bowling attack and that is a big boost. He has been a great fast bowler for Afghanistan and will lead the pace attack alongside Dawlat Zadran."
"We have a well-balanced team. Rashid has done well in county cricket, Mujeeb can use the new ball and we have potent fast bowlers who can exploit English conditions."
Talking about the health of the game back home, the chief selector said the sport is growing rapidly and "there are around five lakh cricketers in the country and most of them want to be Rashid."