Afghanistan has named a 18-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan, which will be contested in Sri Lanka from 22 to 26 August.

Rashid Khan is in the team even though there are concerns about his presence. The 18-member squad includes two reserve players. Another spinner, Noor Ahmad, who was left out of the roster for the team's last ODI series, has been reinstated.

Both left-arm spinner Zia-ur-Rehman, who recently made his ODI debut against Bangladesh, and leg-spinner Izharulhaq Naveed, who has no ODI experience, have been omitted from the Pakistan Series squad. Mohammad Saleem Safi and Wafadar Momand, who participated in the recent One-Day International tour to Bangladesh, have effectively retained their positions.

"Our whole concentration is to prepare the team for the upcoming two big events of Asia Cup and the World Cup 2023. This three-match ODI series against Pakistan provides us with a wonderful opportunity to prepare the team for the forthcoming two events,” ACB chief selector Asadullah Khan said.

"The preparations for the Pakistan series are progressing well; the players have recently performed well in the Kabul Camp, which has been supervised by ACB's high performance centre staff. The team will also undergo a week-long conditioning camp prior to the Pakistan series."

Pakistan and Afghanistan have played four ODIs to date, including two at the Asia Cup and one at the World Cup in 2019.

Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Saleem Safi and Wafadar Momand.

Reserves: Farid Ahmad Malik and Shahidullah Kamal.