The Afghanistan cricket team play their second ICC Cricket World Cup in succession in England 2019 but this time they are here as an elite. With the current edition of the championship hosting the best ten team on the planet, Afghanistan’s presence is an achievement in itself. They along with the West Indies had to play a qualifying tournament to book their tickets to England. Having defeated Pakistan in a warm-up game, the Afghan boys have their tails up and will be hoping to write the perfect underdog story. Let us look at their 15 member squad for the 2019 World Cup. Schedule of Team Afghanistan at ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: List of AFG Team’s Matches, Time Table, Date, Venue and Squad Details.

Gulbadin Naib: Having given the captaincy just two months prior to the World Cup in England, Gulbadin Naib has a huge job on his hand. There were a few resentments amongst the squad members when his name was announced but all seem to be buried now.

Aftab Alam: Having made his debut way back in 2010, Aftab Alam has failed to reach his true potential. But he brings great energy in the side and could be handy slow bowler on the pitches of England that often do not turn much.

Asghar Afghan: His removal from the captaincy was a big talking point in the team but Asghar Afghan the batsman is still very much the key figure. He has vast experience of playing under pressure which will be needed in the middle order.

Dawlat Zardan: With 100 wickets to his name and flashy bowling action, Dawlat Zardan is one player that cannot go unnoticed. Recurring injury is a real issue though and fans will be hoping he stays fit. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Other Key Players in the Afghanistan Team for CWC.

Hamid Hassan: He has announced he will quit ODI cricket post the world cup after making a come back in the squad after a gap of three years. The pacer may get limited opportunities in the cup though.

Hashmatullah Shahidi: His batting position may not be clear in the team but he is one player that is a constant performer. The 24-year-old batsman likes to work the ball around rather than big hits showcasing great maturity.

Hazratullah Zazai: Known for his power hitting, Hazratullah Zazai likes to dominate from the word go. He will be a massive influence on Afghanistan in the world cup. His six hitting abilities have been on display time and again inT20s.

Mohammad Nabi: We have seen all-rounder Mohammad Nabi perform time and again in the IPL with his clever bowling and decent contribution with the bat. An experienced campaigner, he will be one of the leaders of the team in England. Ahead of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Here’s a Look Back at How Afghanistan Fared at the Last Edition of the CWC.

Mohammad Shahzad: A knee injury has the Afghanistan camp sweating over his fitness considering how crucial Mohammad Shahzad is to the team’s batting unit. If he does make a comeback in the latter stages, it will be a massive uplift for them.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman: The youngster has the potential to be a great spinner and has showcased his talent in the IPL. He could be utilised in the powerplays by Afghanistan due to his knack of picking wickets early on.

Rashid Khan: The vice-captain of the team and one of the best spinners in the world, Rashid Khan is a star in every sense. The batsman does not like facing him much and he could create the pressure for others bowlers to flourish.

Najibullah Zadran: One of the in-form players in the team, Najibullah Zadran is averaging above 100 this season and looks like the 26-year-old is set to be a key figure in the Afghanistan middle order.

Noor Ali Zadran: His inclusion in the team may have surprised a few given his lack of form but nonetheless his experience can come in handy. He is likely to be a backup opener in the team and could be given a chance if the first team openers fail. Afghanistan Team for ICC World Cup 2019: Hamid Hassan Makes Comeback in Gulbadin Naib-Led 15-Man Squad For CWC19.

Rahmat Shah: He has four centuries to his name in ODI cricket and is known for his exploits in the shorter version of the game. He has the technique needed to thrive in England against a quality pace attack.

Samiullah Shinwari: One of the greats of Afghan cricket, Samiullah Shinwari will bid adieu to the game post the World Cup. He will have an integral role to play off the pitch as much as on the pitch for his country.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 28, 2019 11:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).