Making their tournament debut, Afghanistan has unveiled their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, along with three travelling reserves.
The announcement, made by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday, marks a significant milestone in the nation’s cricketing journey.
Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the side as captain, bringing his leadership experience to Afghanistan’s first-ever ICC Champions Trophy campaign. The team enters the tournament buoyed by impressive performances in recent global events, including the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the Men’s T20 World Cup, where they reached the semifinals.
Key Inclusions and Absences
A major highlight of the squad is the return of Ibrahim Zadran, who has recovered from an ankle injury sustained last year. Zadran will open the batting alongside the dynamic Rahmanullah Gurbaz, setting the stage for a formidable top order. They are supported by consistent performers Rahmat Shah and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, solidifying Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
The bowling unit is spearheaded by star leg-spinner Rashid Khan, with all-rounder Mohammad Nabi and pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi adding depth to the attack. Rashid’s proven ability to perform in pressure situations will be crucial in Afghanistan’s campaign.
However, the squad will miss the services of off-spinner Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, a key player in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. ACB interim chief selector Ahmad Suliman Khil explained Mujeeb’s absence, stating, “Mujeeb Ur Rahman was not available for selection as his doctor has advised him to focus on T20s for a while to ensure full recovery before returning to ODIs. This was also the reason for his exclusion from the recent ODI series against Zimbabwe.”
Squad and Reserves
Afghanistan Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.
Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Nangyal Kharoti, Bilal Sami.
Group Stage Fixtures
• 21 February: Afghanistan vs South Africa, Karachi
• 26 February: Afghanistan vs England, Lahore
• 28 February: Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore
Afghanistan’s debut at the ICC Champions Trophy promises to be an exciting chapter in their cricketing journey, with fans eagerly anticipating strong performances from the team.