Afghanistan is preparing for a historic moment as they compete in the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced its 15-player squad for the tournament, set to begin on February 19, 2025, in Pakistan and Dubai. This marks a significant milestone in Afghanistan’s cricket journey as they prepare to face some of the strongest teams in the world.
Group and Schedule
Afghanistan is placed in Group B alongside Australia, England, and South Africa. Their group-stage matches are scheduled as follows:
- February 21: Afghanistan vs South Africa, Karachi
- February 24: Afghanistan vs England, Lahore
- February 27: Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore
Afghanistan will need to perform at their best to advance in this highly competitive group.
Key Updates in the Squad
The squad includes a mix of experienced players and emerging talents. Here are the key highlights:
Ibrahim Zadran Returns
Ibrahim Zadran, a reliable top-order batter, is back in the squad after recovering from an ankle injury. His return adds stability to Afghanistan’s batting lineup. Known for his ability to build innings, Zadran will play a crucial role in the team’s campaign.
Sediqullah Atal Earns His Spot
Sediqullah Atal has been included after his remarkable performance in the recent ODI series against Zimbabwe. He scored 156 runs in just two matches, including a century and a half-century, earning the Player of the Series award. His strong form makes him an important player for Afghanistan in the tournament.
AM Ghazanfar to Debut
Young mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar has earned his place in the squad and will participate in his first ICC tournament. Known for his unique spin variations, Ghazanfar could be a surprise factor for Afghanistan in the competition.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s Exclusion
One of the biggest changes is the absence of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, a key spinner for Afghanistan. He has been advised by doctors to focus on T20 cricket to recover fully from his injuries.
ACB Chief Ahmad Suliman Khil clarified, “Mujeeb Ur Rahman was not available for the selection as he has been advised by his doctor to focus on T20s for a while to ensure his full recovery before returning to ODIs. That was also the reason he missed the recently concluded ODI series against Zimbabwe.”
Full Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Here is the complete squad announced by the ACB:
Main Squad:
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain)
- Rahmat Shah (Vice-Captain)
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper)
- Ikram Alikhil (Wicketkeeper)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Sediqullah Atal
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Gulbadin Naib
- Rashid Khan
- AM Ghazanfar
- Noor Ahmad
- Fazal Haq Farooqi
- Naveed Zadran
- Farid Ahmad Malik
Reserves:
- Darwish Rasooli
- Nangyal Kharoti
- Bilal Sami
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