World Cup 2019: Shirzad to replace Alam in Afghanistan squad

Ahead of the match against Pakistan on Saturday, Afghanistan called up pacer Sayed Ahmad Shirzad as a replacement for injured Aftab Alam.

Shirzad has played just one ODI for Afghanistan against Ireland in March, 2019.

Left-arm medium pacer Sayed Ahmad Shirzad will replace Aftab Alam for the remainder of the ongoing World Cup in the Afghanistan squad, the ICC confirmed Thursday.

According to a ICC statement, Alam has been replaced under exceptional circumstances.

“The International Cricket Council has confirmed that the Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 has approved Sayed Ahmad Shirzad as a replacement player for Aftab Alam in Afghanistan’s squad for the remainder of the tournament,” the ICC said in a statement.

Shirzad, 24, has played just one ODI for Afghanistan against Ireland in March, 2019. He has played 4 T20Is and has seven wickets.

Already out of the reckoning with seven defeats from as many games, Afghanistan now have only pride to play for in their remaining two games -- against Pakistan on Saturday and West Indies on July 4.