KABUL – ICC has approved Sayed Ahmad Shirzad as a replacement player forAftab Alam in Afghanistan’s World Cup squad for the rest of the tournament.

The official release mentioned that Alam has been released from the squad“in exceptional circumstances.” Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) laterclarified that Alam has been sent back home due following his breach ofICC’s disciplinary code of conduct.

“The decision to send Alam back from England has been taken underexceptional circumstances taking into account both ICC and ACB’s code ofconduct rules and regulations.

The decision stops Alam from further participating in the ICC Cricket WorldCup 2019 as he will be under investigation by ACB for the allegedmisconduct off the field,” the release on Thursday (June 27) further stated.

Alam, a right-arm pacer, played three matches in the tournament, pickingfour wickets; three of them came against New Zealand. Shirzad, on the otherhand, is a left-arm fast bowler who debuted against Ireland in March thisyear but couldn’t bat or bowl in a no-result game in Dehradun. He’ll travelto England on Friday.