Stanikzai has played 83 one-day internationals and made 1,565 runs. Afghanistan are in Group B of the qualifying tournament which is being staged in Zimbabwe and will face the home country, Nepal, Hong Kong and Scotland in the first round. The top three teams from the two groups will qualify for the second stage with the best two countries at the end of the event booking their places at the 2019 World Cup being held in England and Wales.BREAKING: Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai has been ruled out of the start of their @cricketworldcup qualifier campaign, requiring surgery for appendicitis #CWCQ https://t.co/SnRe9y5Fu8 pic.twitter.com/FQBIoChNxI
— ICC (@ICC) February 26, 2018
Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai to undergo surgery for Appendicitis. Read more: https://t.co/5rcdkAVcKG pic.twitter.com/QwwPumQckG
— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 26, 2018