It has not really been a great time after all for the Afghanistan team that is touring India. Somewhere, truly speaking, you ought to think that they have experienced much lighter and promising games and results thereof, in the past. But not where their most recent contest in the beating heartland of the Indian subcontinent is concerned. Losing a Test match is one thing. Understandable. And acceptable. That sort of thing happens to the best of teams every once in a while.

But where it comes to teams that are urgently attempting to up their game and improve considerably, then how does one justify or live with the fact that the team went down by an innings and 100 runs? That was exactly the fate of the one off Test match that the Afghanistan team played most recently in India at the New Chandigarh stadium. Forget not that the visiting side failed to touch even 200 runs in either of its innings and had been inflicted a follow on by the hosts.

But then, what’s done is done. And can’t be repaired. It always makes sense to focus on what lies ahead and what’s to follow. And what’s right ahead of us fans is the one day international leg of the Afghanistan tour of India. It consists of three one day international contests. It’s hopefully going to be a promising series, one in which Afghanistan would like to show signs and indications of some improvement, important and even if minute that it may be.

And here’s perhaps the most notable development from an Afghan perspective ahead of the 3-match ODI series about to undergo live in India.

In what comes in as confirmed news, Mohammad Saleem has been added to the One day squad that sees the team squaring off against the hosts for three contests.

In the just concluded or recent test match, it was none other than Mohammad Saleem who grabbed a six-for. An important feat in that the five day test match didn’t even last all that long or for its full duration.

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This is really some sort of a confidence booster for the visiting Afghanistan side. What is also going to hopefully create some impact is that Rashid Khan, the experienced and talismanic bowler and clearly, the best in the business for Afghanistan also finds his place back in the team. After missing out on the Test match, he will be part of the limited overs series.

But having said that, let’s focus a bit more on Mohammad Saleem. What stood out on the part of the brooding fast bowler was that despite the temperatures at the ground at New Chandigarh touching and crossing 40 degrees, hence facing oppressive heat, the bowler was able to touch speeds of 140 kmph and was able to bowl long spells.

Furthermore, while Rashid Khan wasn’t able to join his team for its recent practice squad at Mohali, it is believed he will directly link up with his teammates at Dharamshala, the venue of the opening contest.