Afghanistan announce squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Afghanistan is set to make history with their debut in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has named a strong 15-member squad for the tournament. 

The team, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, will look to continue their impressive performances from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and last year’s T20 World Cup, where they reached the semifinals.  
  
The return of opener Ibrahim Zadran is a significant boost for the team. Zadran, who missed action due to an ankle injury, will partner with Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the top of the batting order. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah will provide stability to the middle order, making Afghanistan’s top four a formidable unit.  

The bowling attack will feature star spinner Rashid Khan, experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, and pace leader Fazalhaq Farooqi. However, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman is a notable absentee. Explaining his absence, ACB interim chief selector Ahmad Suliman Khil said, “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.”  
 
Along with the 15-member squad, Afghanistan has named three reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Nangyal Kharoti, and Bilal Sami, to provide additional options during the tournament.  

Afghanistan is placed in Group B and will face tough competition in the group stage. Their matches include:  
- February 21: Afghanistan vs South Africa in Karachi  
- February 26: Afghanistan vs England in Lahore  
- February 28: Afghanistan vs Australia in Lahore  

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