KABUL (Dunya News) – The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday unveiled a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, naming star leg-spinner Rashid Khan as captain.
Afghanistan will launch their campaign in the curtain-raiser against Hong Kong on September 9.
Spin remains Afghanistan’s biggest strength, with Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Allah Ghazanfar returning to the fold after missing the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year. They join Rashid and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi in a formidable spin department.
In batting, Ibrahim Zadran retains his spot after his Champions Trophy comeback, while Hazratullah Zazai has been left out. The middle order will be led by Darwish Rasooli and Sediqullah Atal, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Mohammad Ishaq set to share wicketkeeping duties.
Afghanistan’s all-round strength comes in the form of Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, and Gulbadin Naib. The pace attack is spearheaded by Fazalhaq Farooqi, supported by Naveen-ul-Haq and Farid Ahmad Malik.
The ACB also named Wafiullah Tarakhail, Nangyal Kharote, and Abdullah Ahmadzai as traveling reserves.
The Asia Cup 2025 will feature eight teams split into two groups. Group A includes Pakistan, India, UAE, and Oman, while Group B comprises Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.
Afghanistan squad for Asia Cup 2025:
Rashid Khan (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Allah Ghazanfar, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq.