Afghanistan’s experienced middle-order batsman and team captain Asghar Stanikzai will not take part in the upcoming ICC World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe after having to undergo emergency surgery. 

According to the ICC, Stanikzai had surgery to remove his appendix. 

This news will come as a bitter blow to Afghanistan as they bid to reach the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

The 30-year-old middle-order batsman has scored 1,565 runs at an average of 21.14 in 83 ODIs.