Afghanistan faces challenges ahead of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka as Rashid Khan, recovering from back surgery, remains unavailable. Qais Ahmad steps in for Rashid, while Najibullah Zadran and Abdul Rahman are omitted, and Mohammad Saleem is sidelined due to a hamstring strain. Allrounder Gulbadin Naib earns an ODI recall following his T20I performance against India, along with Fareed Ahmad. Naveed Zadran, impressive on his Test debut against Sri Lanka, secures a spot in the ODI side.

Noor Ahmad rejoins the national team but will miss the SA20 league's final stages. ACB CEO Naseeb Khan expresses enthusiasm about the busy schedule, marking Afghanistan's third visit to Sri Lanka in 16 months. The selectors assemble a robust lineup, anticipating an exciting series. The ODIs will be held in Pallekele before moving to Dambulla for a three-match T20I series, marking Afghanistan's first ODI assignment since the 2023 World Cup.

Afghanistan ODI Squad:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Qais Ahmad, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad.

Reserves: Sharafuddin Ashraf, Shahidullah, Abdul Rahman, Bilal Sami.