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Mohammad Saleem Added to Afghanistan ODI Squad for India Series

Coach Richard Pybus framed Saleem's promotion as part of his assessment of bowling combinations to add raw pace ahead of the June 13 opener.

Overview

  • Saleem was added to Afghanistan's 15‑player ODI squad on Wednesday after a standout one-off Test in New Chandigarh that prompted selectors to promote him from the Test‑only group.
  • In that Test he took six wickets, bowled long spells and repeatedly touched about 140 kph while operating as a first‑change pacer who did not get a chance to share the second new ball.
  • Afghanistan's final Mohali training session saw key players miss work; Rashid Khan did not attend and is expected to join the squad in Dharamsala while Mohammad Nabi missed the session because of illness.
  • Pybus publicly praised Saleem's performance and said adding him fits the coaching staff's process of learning player roles and managing a bowler with known past niggles.
  • The three‑match ODI series begins June 13 in Dharamsala with games then in Lucknow and Chennai, and Saleem's raw pace gives Afghanistan a scarce seam option that could alter their short‑term bowling plans.