Mujeeb ur Rahman has played just one game in the T20 World Cup 2024 against Afghanistan against Uganda.
New Delhi: Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman has been ruled out for the rest of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 due to a recurring finger injury that previously sidelined him during the Indian Premier League. Mujeeb played in Afghanistan’s campaign opener against Uganda but since then has not played because of a sprain in the index finger of his bowling hand.
Hazratullah Zazai has been named as Mujeeb’s replacement, as confirmed by the International Cricket Council on Friday following approval from their event technical committee. The development came just after Afghanistan’s win against Papua New Guinea.
In the absence of Mujeeb, leg-spinner Noor Ahmed has featured prominently in Afghanistan’s recent fixtures against New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. He recorded figures of 1/14 against PNG but went wicketless against the Kiwis. “He is going to be a big part for us going forward, as these wickets continue to wear,” Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott said about Noor, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
“It is always nice to have the option of him to come into the side, or the left-arm spin of Nangeyalia Kharote, who can come into the side – he did really well in the last [series] against Ireland – and obviously (Mohammad) Nabi, who can bowl spin as well,” he added.
Zazai, though not a like-to-like replacement for Mujeeb, can be a huge boost for Afghanistan’s batting line-up. He has not played a T20I since February this year but featured in 2012 and 2022 editions of T20 World Cup. Zazai also holds team’s second highest individual score in Men’s T20I cricket.
Afghanistan secured their place in the Super 8 stage after defeating PNG and will now face West Indies in their final group match on Monday in Saint Lucia.