Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman will miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, set to commence on February 9, 2024. Mujeeb sustained a right hand injury during a training session in Kandy, leading to his absence from the 50-over matches against Sri Lanka. The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced this development via a tweet on ‘X’, stating, “Mujeeb Ur Rahman sprained his right phalanx (hand) during the training session yesterday, which ruled him out of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Wish you a swift & speedy recovery Muj!”

Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been absent from ODI matches since November 2023 but featured in the T20I series against India in January 2024. He garnered attention for his dispute with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, where he advocated for exclusion from the central contract list for 2024, expressing a preference for participating in T20 leagues over national team commitments.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman, along with Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi, faced a two-year ban from participating in foreign leagues imposed by the ACB. However, they later expressed their desire to represent the national team, leading to the lifting of their bans by the cricket board.

Setback for Afghanistan: Mujeeb Ur Rahman Ruled out for ODI series against Sri Lanka

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is renowned for his exceptional spin bowling skills, boasting a wide array of variations that stifle batsmen and enable him to pick up wickets consistently. With the ability to make an impact with the new ball or during any phase of the innings, Mujeeb’s deceptive googly adds further potency to his bowling arsenal.

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In the absence of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Afghanistan’s spin attack faces a challenge with relatively inexperienced options such as Noor Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi. Consequently, the team may rely more on its pacers to make breakthroughs rather than the spinners.

Afghanistan, buoyed by their victory over Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup, aims to maintain their winning momentum in the upcoming series. Led by Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka boasts a youthful squad featuring emerging talents like Janith Liyanage and Shevon Daniel, bolstered by match-winning spinners such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dhananjaya, and Maheesh Theekshana.

The inclusion of promising spinner Dunith Wellalage, who impressed during the 2023 ODI World Cup, further strengthens Sri Lanka’s spin department. The entirety of the SL vs AFG ODI series will unfold at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy. The opening match is scheduled for February 9, with the series wrapping up on February 14.