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Tuesday 23 April 2019 10:51, UK
Afghanistan have included 31-year-old fast bowler Hamid Hassan in their squad for next month's Cricket World Cup, three years after his last one-day international appearance.
Hassan has taken 56 wickets in 32 ODIs but has not played an international since playing a one-dayer against Ireland in June 2016.
The selectors on Monday also picked former captain Asghan Afghan in the 15-man squad.
"As chief selector, it is my duty to select a competitive team," Dawlat Khan Ahmadzai said.
Afghanistan will be led by Gulbadin Naib, whose elevation as skipper earlier this month was criticised by senior players Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Ikram Ali Khil, 18, did not make the squad, but was named in the reserves along with Karim Janat and Sayed Shirzad.
Batsman Javed Ahmadi and fast bowler Shapoor Zadran were ignored by the selectors. They opted for hard-hitting opening batsman Hazratullah Zazai and also recalled Hassan.
"Luckily for us, the comeback of senior fast bowler Hamid Hassan is good news. However, we will take into account his form and fitness during upcoming practice matches," Ahmadzai said.
Afghanistan have one of the most formidable spin attacks with leg spinner Rashid Khan, Nabi and Mujeeb ur Rahman.
They will open their World Cup campaign against Australia on June 1.
Afghanistan squad: Gulbadin Naib (captain), Mohammad Shahzad, Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb ur Rahman
You can watch every match of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup on Sky Sports Cricket, starting with England vs South Africa at The Oval on Thursday, May 30.
