The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) revealed on Sunday their 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held from 19 February to 9 March in Pakistan and the UAE.
Top-order batter Ibrahim Zadran, having recovered from an ankle injury, marked his return to the national team. Mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar replaced Mujeebur Rahman, who decided to prioritise his recovery by focusing on T20 cricket.
The squad also included Sediqullah Atal, who was named player of the series during a recent ODI series against Zimbabwe, where he amassed 156 runs, highlighted by a century and a half-century.
– Ashraf confident of Afghanistan's potential –
ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf lauded the team’s performance in recent international tournaments and expressed optimism about their prospects. “AfghanAtalan have performed exceptionally well in the past two ICC events, the CWC23 and the ICC World T20 2024,” Ashraf stated. “Their success will undoubtedly boost their morale and help them deliver an even better campaign this time.”
Ashraf announced the appointment of former Pakistan captain Younis Khan as the team’s mentor. “Given the success of having mentors in the last two events, we look forward to benefiting from Younis Khan’s extensive international experience,” he added.
– Mujeeb’s absence explained –
Interim Chief Selector Ahmad Suliman Khil provided clarity on Mujeebur Rahman’s exclusion from the squad. “Mujeeb was not available for selection as his doctor advised him to focus on T20s to ensure a full recovery before returning to ODIs. This was also the reason he missed the recent series against Zimbabwe,” Khil explained.
He highlighted the team’s preparedness for the Champions Trophy, emphasising their familiarity with conditions in Pakistan and the UAE. “We will conduct a preparation camp in multiple phases before the tournament. Expectations are high, and I hope the team will deliver strong performances, just as they did in the last two World Cups,” Khil stated.
– Afghanistan’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 –
Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Rahmat Shah (Vice-Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad Malik.
Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Nangyal Kharoti, Bilal Sami
– Key fixtures –
- 21 February: Afghanistan vs South Africa in Karachi
- 26 February: Afghanistan vs England in Lahore
- 28 February: Afghanistan vs Australia in Lahore
