Afghanistan Unveils Squad Mixing Star Power and Fresh Faces
Rashid Khan will steer a new-look Afghanistan cricket squad into a busy season featuring a much-anticipated tri-series and the 2025 Asia Cup. The Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced a 22-man preliminary squad that promises an interesting blend of old hands and emerging names, signaling intent to build on their recent progress in T20 cricket.
Some familiar faces make the cut: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, known for his explosive wicketkeeping and hitting, and Mohammad Nabi, whose experience spans years of white-ball cricket. The list also boasts names like pace bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi, a central figure in Afghanistan's stunning T20 World Cup 2024 campaign that saw them reach the semi-finals. Azmatullah Omarzai, who’s been clutch with the bat and handy with the ball, keeps his spot too. These tried-and-tested players give the squad a backbone of proven skill and big-game temperament.
Not just content with their established stars, selectors have opened the door for hungry newcomers. Keep an eye on Wafiullah Tarakhil, Abdullah Ahmadzai, and Bashir Ahmad. These youngsters haven’t donned the senior Afghanistan cap yet, but they could get their chance soon if training goes well. Adding young blood alongside regulars like Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, and Naveen ul Haq creates a full toolkit for the team's leadership to work with.
Preparation and Tough Opponents Await
The squad’s preparation is set to crank up with a focused two-week camp in Sharjah. That’s where the lineup will try to gel before the tri-series opener against Pakistan on August 29, followed by a meeting with the UAE. Expect sharp training sessions with coaches focusing on refining strategies for both spin and pace-heavy conditions common on Gulf pitches.
Asia Cup 2025 comes into focus right after, and Afghanistan finds itself in a fiercely competitive group. They open their campaign against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi on September 9, but also have to topple established rivals like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to make headway. Group B won’t be a walk in the park. Winning here will need sharp bowling, steady nerve, and clever batting—ingredients found throughout this 22-man roster.
Key names to watch in the Asia Cup include Rashid Khan’s leg-spin wizardry and leadership, Nabi’s all-round skills, and Mujeeb Zadran’s knack for breaking big partnerships. The selectors are betting on this mix of exuberance and experience to put Afghanistan strongly on the Asia Cup map and signal they’re not just here to participate but actually compete for silverware.
The nation’s cricket followers are clearly buzzing. With stars who have delivered on the world stage and rookies eager for their shot, Afghanistan’s squad for the 2025 season is shaping up to be as unpredictable as it is promising.
