Mohammad Saleem, Afghanistan’s promising fast bowler, has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi due to injury. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the news on Monday, October 6, 2025, and named left-arm quick Bilal Sami as his replacement in the squad .
Table of Contents
- Saleem Injury Details
- Who Is Bilal Sami?
- Afghanistan ODI Squad Update
- Series Preview: Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan
- Impact on Afghanistan’s Bowling Attack
- Sources
Mohammad Saleem Injury Details
The 21-year-old pacer suffered a hamstring strain during a training session last week and failed to recover in time for the series opener on October 8 in Abu Dhabi. Medical staff advised rest to avoid aggravating the injury ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy qualifiers later this year.
Saleem had been in strong form in domestic circuits and was expected to play a key role in Afghanistan’s pace attack alongside Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Who Is Bilal Sami?
Stepping in for Saleem is Bilal Sami, a 24-year-old left-arm seamer known for his accuracy and swing in subcontinental conditions. Though yet to make his ODI debut, Sami has impressed in Afghanistan’s domestic tournaments and was part of the national A-team tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year.
His inclusion adds variety to the bowling unit, especially on the slower Abu Dhabi pitches where left-arm angle can trouble Bangladesh’s top order.
Afghanistan ODI Squad Update
Here’s the revised 15-man squad for the Bangladesh series:
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (c)
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmat Shah
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Najibullah Zadran
- Mohammad Nabi
- Gulbadin Naib
- Noor Ahmad
- Rashid Khan
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- Karim Janat
- Bilal Sami (replaces Mohammad Saleem)
Series Preview: Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan
The three ODIs—scheduled for October 8, 11, and 14 in Abu Dhabi—are part of both teams’ preparation for the upcoming ICC events. Afghanistan currently sits just outside the top eight in the ODI rankings, while Bangladesh is looking to rebuild under new leadership after a disappointing World Cup campaign.
With spin-friendly conditions expected, all eyes will be on Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, though Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz will pose a stiff challenge.
Impact on Afghanistan’s Bowling Attack
While Saleem’s absence is a setback, Bilal Sami’s call-up offers a tactical alternative. Saleem’s raw pace will be missed, but Sami’s control and angle could prove valuable against left-handers like Tanzid Hasan and Towhid Hridoy.
Coach Jonathan Trott emphasized that the squad remains “well-equipped” to handle the series, adding that player fitness will be closely monitored ahead of high-stakes fixtures later this year.